The Buzz - September 2025

2025 PEI Shellfish Festival

Island tradition returns to Charlottetown— Sept 18 to 21

2025 PEI International Shellfish Festival presented by the Dairy Farmers of Canada, returns to the Charlottetown Event Grounds from September 18–21. This Island tradition is a one-of-a-kind celebration of PEI’s world-renowned shellfish, vibrant culture, and culinary talent.

Owned by Chef Michael and Chastity Smith,

Now in its 29th year, the Festival continues its vision to grow as a world-class culinary event and one of the world’s leading shellfish festivals. This year promises four jampacked days of feasting on shellfish, high- calibre competition, and headline entertainment. Acclaimed Canadian chef, author, and television personality Chef Corbin Tomaszeski will serve as host, bringing his signature energy and expertise to the weekend’s events.

The Festival’s entertainment lineup brings high-energy performances and crowd favourites to the main tent, including Signal Hill, the acoustic rock band from Halifax on Friday night, The Trews on Saturday, The Trews and Acadian group Vishtèn on Sunday. Other acts include Tip Er Back, Vintage 4.0, C’Mon In with Robbie Doherty

Cinnamon Roll Challenge

Competition for home bakers of all ages

The Great Cinnamon Roll Challenge rolls into Charlottetown on September 30, from 2–4 pm.

Hosted at the Culinary Institute of Canada, the competition invites Island home bakers of all ages to showcase their best cinnamon rolls across three categories: traditional with yeast, traditional without yeast, and an alternative twist on the classic—anything goes. Cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 are up for grabs in each category and, of course,

and Pierce Clark, Luka Hall and Shane Pendergast, and Raglan Road.

With over $24,000 in cash prizes, this year’s seven culinary competitions will showcase oyster shuckers, the Junior Chef Challenge, the prestigious Garland Canada International Chef Challenge, and more.

The festivities kick off Thursday night with Feast & Frolic, a seated dinner event in the Festival tent.

From Friday to Sunday, guests can dive into a full schedule of live culinary demos by Chef Corbin, PEI oyster demos by Jason Woodside, and of course, shellfish galore. peishellfish.com

the bragging rights for having the best cinnamon rolls on PEI.

Historian and storyteller Dutch Thompson will entertain the crowd during the judging portion, bringing his signature wit and warmth to the festivities.

The Great Cinnamon Roll Challenge is open to the public and free to attend. Attendees can enjoy a complimentary cinnamon roll, cheer on competitors, and watch the grand champion being crowned. To cap off the day, Minister Zack Bell, PEI Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sports, and Culture, will be proclaiming October 4 as Cinnamon Roll Day on Prince Edward Island.

For more details and contest rules, visit the PEI Women’s Institute website at peiwi.ca or call 902-368-4860.

The

Clammin ‘n’ Jammin Fest

Now a full weekend of food and music—Sept 26 to 28

What has always been a single evening of shellfish tasting and up-tempo music is being transformed this year into a full weekend of festivities promising tons of shellfish fun. The first-ever Clammin ’n’ Jammin Festival will run September 26–28, with all three events held at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village.

The fun kicks off on Friday with The Clam Dance from 8–11 pm, featuring Dawson and the Country Boys: Dawson Arsenault (vocals/guitar), Rémi Arsenault (bass), Riel Arsenault (electric guitar), and Shane Arsenault (drums). Oysters and mussels will also be served during the evening.

the cash prizes. Acadian music will be provided by local artists.

The highlight of the festival remains the traditional Clammin ’n’ Jammin event on Saturday at 6 pm. Guests can sample more than a dozen clam and other shellfish dishes prepared by invited chefs, along with oysters galore from the oyster bar. Guest chefs will also demonstrate a few bar clam recipes. A competition will decide which local cook has prepared the best bar clam dish, with guests voting to award

The final event, the Big Clam Brunch on Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm, will feature a variety of clam and shell fish dishes alongside classic brunch favourites. While they eat, guests will be entertained by several young musi cal performers.

Tickets for Saturday’s Clammin ’n’ Jammin evening must be purchased in advance at villagemusical.ca. Tickets for the other two events will be avail able at the door.

Dawson Arsenault

Profile: Robert Tsonos by Julie Bull

Theatre life

Robert Tsonos’ first foray into the Watermark Theatre in North Rustico was as an actor in 2014. He recently celebrated 10 years as its Artistic Director. With his extensive theatre experience, robust leadership skills and methodical approaches, Robert continues to cultivate a vibrant community at the Watermark. “We are committed to creating consistent quality productions that people have come to know and expect from us.”

One of the major shifts under Robert’s leadership is that the Watermark Theatre now offers programming throughout the year, not just during the summer season. They have both adult and children’s theatre, an art gallery, community theatre, and mentorship programming. “We currently have a playwright-in-residence program, and we are grateful for the

witness the creative process and artistic decisions.”

Though he doesn’t spend as much time traveling internationally these days, Robert still spends a lot of time in the air as he splits his time living between PEI and Montreal. While it may seem that the bustling Montreal metropolis and rural PEI don’t have a lot in common, Robert made an astute observation about one important similarity that stands out for him: “Everyone is an artist in both places!” Living in such creative environments provides Robert with endless inspiration as he immerses himself in the arts and culture offered in both places he calls home. Whether it’s watching an opera, walking through art galleries, or catching a sunset, Robert is keenly engrossed in all things creative. “I spend a lot of time exploring and engaging with the creative community and with nature.”

Robert is hands-on in his approach to theatre and enjoys being able to meet with various people who are involved in bringing stories to life on stage. He is keen to bring as many local people into the Watermark productions as possible. “We start on the Island, then look more broadly in the Atlantic region before deciding to branch out into wider areas if needed. When possible, we amplify local actors.”

“I get to choose what goes on the stage and I spent a lot of time contemplating which productions we will undertake each season.” With two major productions happening simultaneously at the Watermark, the actors need to be similar enough in age, gender, and other demographics to be able to be in both plays, and the plays need to be different enough not to be redundant. “The plays have to complement each other, and it can be a fun puzzle to find the right fit for each season.”

opportunity to support a local playwright in this way.”

A self-proclaimed theatre guy, Robert loves all facets of theatre, and he has experience in nearly all parts of the art form. He is an actor, playwright, and director with an impressive background, and his credits are too numerous to list. Among the many highlights of his career is spending time working in various locations around the world, including Venezuela, Japan, and Hong Kong (where he played Macbeth). “It was such a rewarding experience to get to learn how the industry works in other places.”

Regardless of the job he has in a particular production, Robert enjoys the process of bringing the play from the page to the stage. “I love being in the rehearsal hall to be part of and

Growing up as an anglophone in Montreal, there were not a lot of acting opportunities after high school, so Robert decided to pursue a business degree at university before his worldwide acting career began. Demonstrating that all our experiences contribute to our current circumstance, Robert notes that the business degree “comes in handy in my current role and I get to really use both my left brain and right brain.”

Robert’s lifelong love of theatre can be traced back to high school drama class. “My teacher’s love of the arts and drama were contagious.” He was active in high school drama and enjoyed the ways in which performing requires the performer to be present, alert, and energized. “There was an adrenaline rush that came with making people laugh while I was performing skits and I was hooked on that feeling of connection with the audience.”

BUZZ

Megapaji

Cultural and culinary event on Lennox Island

Experience a one-of-a-kind cultural and culinary event, unlike anything else in Atlantic Canada, at Megapaji: To Eat in Abundance, hosted by Lennox Island First Nation on September 26 on Lennox Island (312 Sweetgrass Trail).

This Fall Flavours event features the open-fire preparation of PEI lobster, oysters, and mussels, combined with storytelling and traditional techniques, creating a unique experience that celebrates both land and sea. It’s not just a meal—it’s a cultural journey that appeals to food lovers and culinary visitors seeking deeper connections to place and tradition.

Chef Ray Bear and his team return

International

Chef Challenge

$10,000 up for grabs from Garland Canada

Top chefs compete in Charlottetown in one of Canada’s most thrilling live culinary competitions at the Garland Canada International Chef Challenge, happening during the PEI International Shellfish Festival from September 19–21 at the Charlottetown Event Grounds.

With only 45 minutes on the clock and PEI’s finest shellfish as their star ingredient, chefs will go head-to-head in the high-energy Kitchen Stadium, all competing for the coveted title and a $10,000 cash prize. Watch the competition heat up all weekend long as chefs advance through every stage to the finals.

Spectators can be part of the excitement, watching from the front row as chefs chop, sear, and plate their way

Mi’kmaq

Coastal Feast

Honouring Land, Sea, and Spirit—Sept 25

Abegweit First Nation is hosting A Mi’kmaq Coastal Feast – Honouring Land, Sea, and Spirit on September 25 from 6–9 pm. This immersive culinary experience, featuring Mi’kmaq culture, cuisine, and connection, will take place on the Blockhouse Lighthouse property

this year to prepare the culinary experience. Jamie Thomas, Director of Culture and Tourism for the Lennox Island First Nation, will emcee.

Ticket holders will also have the chance to win tickets to a Quillwork Experience with Experience Lennox Island. Visit fallflavours.ca/signature-event/megapaji-to-eat-in-abundance for tickets and more details.

through the intense, timed challenge. With expert judges looking for standout flavour, technique, and presentation, only one chef will take home the top honour.

The 12 competing chefs in the Garland Canada International Chef Challenge are: Benet Hunt (Saskatoon, SK); Tia Huszczo (Burford, ON); Maya Petten (Clarke’s Beach, NL); Winnie Chen, (Edmonton, AB); Alijah Casellas Castle (Scarborough, ON); Roshni Gurnani (Bellaire, TX); Joseph Mongillo (Markham, ON); Brent Thornton (Vancouver, BC); Joe Martin (Halifax, NS); Moira Murray (Halifax, NS); Jae-Anthony Dougan (LaSalle, QC); and Kim McKeown (Leonhard’s Café & Restaurant, Kelvin Grove, PE).

These chefs will be judged by an panel featuring celebrity Chef Corbin from Corbin Catering & Foods in Toronto, ON; Chef Dany Duguay, owner of Anemone and Terra Cafe in Halifax, NS; and Chef Imrun Texeira, owner of Wanderlust, Toronto, ON.

See the full competition schedule at peishellfish.com/schedule-events.

in Rocky Point (285 Blockhouse Rd).

Guests can wander between tasting stations offering traditional and contemporary Indigenous dishes, with ingredients sourced from the land and waters of Abegweit First Nation— including their own farm and fisheries.

Build-Your-Own Pi a Mu els De ert live entertainment by Shawn Hogan Craft B r, Cocktail & Mocktail Pairings

RT

NEW GLASGOW ROAD STOKED BAKEHOUSE & BOGSIDE GLASGOW

Featuring Chef Ray Bear, Host Tyler Gould, Grass Dancer Taite Wooldridge (Abegweit First Nation), Fancy Shawl Dancer Taya Wooldridge (Abegweit First Nation), and music by Abegweit First Nation’s DeeDee Austin (Canada’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer Contestant).

Info/tickets: abegweit.ca/events.

Last call on the wall

Art Exhibitions closing in August

Brian Burke House

Murray Harbour

Against My Better Judgement until September 19

An exhibition of 35 paintings from the never-before-exhibited series by Brian Burke (1952–2017). The title serves as a thematic lead, reflecting both individual and societal tendencies towards a subversion of one’s dreams. Intertwined into this thematic thread is a question of leadership—a lifelong preoccupation of the painter—alongside his his inquiry into the act of painting. brianburke.ch

Confed Centre Art Gallery

Charlottetown

Some of the most remarkable exhibitions the Confederation Centre Art Gallery has ever hosted close this month:

Hidden Blackness: Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828–1901) until September 14

The first major Canadian exhibition of Bannister’s work—124 years after his death—celebrates the groundbreaking 19th-century African American/ Canadian painter who made history as the first artist of African descent, and the first Canadian, to win a major art prize in North America.

Benevolent, Irish, and Social: 200 Years of Service to Islanders until September 14

This exhibition presents a collection of artifacts and documents tracing the activities of the Benevolent Irish Society of PEI from 1825 to the present day. Discover the fascinating history of one of PEI’s oldest organizations, from helping immigrants to hosting ceilidhs, through rare artifacts and archival treasures.

Jerry Evans: Weljesi until September 28

A career-spanning survey of one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most beloved Indigenous artists, showcasing 30+ years of prints, paintings, and video works dedicated to cultural preservation and reclamation. This exhibition is rooted in Indigenous concepts of cyclical time, storytelling, and beauty, and features his iconic prints, paintings, projections, and video portraiture.

Kathleen Daly and George Pepper: The Land and its People

Until September 28

Journey across Canada through the empathetic portraits and sweeping landscapes of two of the country’s most compelling 20th-century artists. For over three decades following their marriage in 1929, Daly and Pepper crisscrossed Canada, capturing its people and its landscapes in paintings and drawings.

East of East: Atlantic Canadian Hip Hop Archive until October 5

A vibrant celebration of Atlantic Canada’s hip hop scene since the 1980s, featuring music, posters, and rare memorabilia. This interactive exhibition celebrates diverse communities, identities, and ideas, showcasing the often-overlooked hip-hop legacy of the East Coast while honouring the individuals who have contributed to its vibrancy.

Cornwall Library Art Gallery

Cornwall

How I See It until September 12

A mix of art pieces and paintings created from found objects and personal photos by Island artist Pam Taylor Bissonette.

Eptek Art & Culture Centre Summerside

Excellence in Craft until September 26

This year’s Celebration of Craft exhibition highlights contemporary works inspired by PEI’s fine craft community. In partnership with the PEI Crafts Council, it also recognizes the Council’s 60th anniversary in 2025.

North Nook Gallery The Guild, Charlottetown

Premonitions

until September 23

A sculptural installation by Sarah Noonan, this work uses experimental material processes to inspire a transformative way of seeing—one guided by intuition rather than clarity. It combines hand-sewn textiles, casting methods, found objects, and sculptural remnants.

Lefurgey Cultural Centre Summerside

until September 30

PEI artist Maurice Bernard, a professional artist since 1982, is known for his paintings in oils and chalk pastels that reflect the beauty and grace of the Island and the warmth of family life. In this exhibition, members of the Lady Slipper Rug Hooking Guild have reimagined Bernard’s expressive imagery through the timeless craft of rug hooking. Using wool, they have created a vibrant, textured collection of hand-hooked works that honour both Bernard’s artistic vision and the rich tradition of textile art.

Hooked on Maurice: Art in Wool

Predicament by Brian Burke

Edward Mitchell Bannister by Gustine L. Hurd, c. 1880, Albumen silver print, 14.5 × 10.3 cm, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Robert Emmett Irish Drama, Lyceum Theatre, March 17, 1894

Jerry Evans, Migration Cycles, 2002, Lithograph (14/20). Gov. of Newfoundland and Labrador Collection, The Rooms.

Headshot of LXVNDR (detail)

Sculpture by Sarah Noonan

Kathleen Daly, Untitled (Young Man & Landscape), oil on canvas, 96.5 x 83.8 cm

Historical exhibit

Celebrating the history of Charlottetown

The City of Charlottetown’s new pop-up exhibit, Charlottetown: A History, honours and explores its history and development. It is on display on the first floor of the Confederation Court Mall until October 6.

This year, the City of Charlottetown celebrates 30 years of amalgamation, but it is much older. In 1765, Charlotte Town, named for Queen Charlotte, the Queen consort to George III, was chosen as the capital of the infant colony of St. John’s Royalty remained and developed into separate communities. Spring Park,

Eptek Art & Culture Centre

New exhibit invites visitors to create and contribute

This month at the Eptek Art & Culture Centre, visitors are invited to take a tour through the new “Gallery of Kindness.” Inspired by a local artist who, despite all that is currently going on in the world, is trying to share as much kindness as possible, the gallery offers hand-drawn picture frames that give viewers an opportunity to create something that brings them joy. Using prompts to encourage inspiration, visitors can help grow this new, small gallery space and contribute something that is truly joyful.

From October 3–31, Eptek will also host Our Climate Quest: Small Steps to Big Change. This exciting new exhibit, created by Science North, is packed with activities for all ages. Families are invited to make their mark at Our Climate Quest through a day of learning and fun designed to inspire climate action. Highlights include the Climate Action Show, opportunities to find your own path to change, and the

chance to meet real change-makers. With numerous hands-on activities, the exhibit promises to be a memorable experience for the whole family.

The Eptek Art & Culture Centre is a site of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation and is located at 130 Heather Moyse Drive, Summerside. Admission to exhibits is by donation. For more information, call 902-8888373, visit peimuseum.ca, or follow @ eptek.centre.

FOOD & DRINK

Tea & Coffee Drop-in

Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are 50 and over—and their allies—can drop in for a casual afternoon of coffee, tea, and conversation at the PEERS Alliance office (250B Queen St, Charlottetown) on August 31 from 1–3 pm. The event offers space for socializing and sharing ideas, information, and care within the community. Sweets will be provided. Info: peersalliance.ca

For the Love of Maud Afternoon Tea

Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead is hosting For the Love of Maud Afternoon Tea on Thursdays and Saturdays from

2–3:30 pm in September. Montgomery enthusiasts are invited to afternoon tea and hear the story of Governor General Earl Grey’s visit with author Lucy Maud Montgomery at the Macphail Homestead. Reservations are required. 271 Macphail Park Rd, Orwell. Info: macphailhomestead.ca, 902-651-2789

Chef Nation

Kids aged 13–18 who are interested in learning to cook can join the Chef Nation in the Community Kitchen at the Charlottetown Library. Meet on Tuesdays from 3–5 pm starting September 16. Teens can participate in a selection of crafts and activities, cook, or just hang out.

The Country View Motor Court, Winsloe, 1950 (above); This Filling Station, Sherwood, 1930

The Gallery of Kindness

ARTS

Nominations open for 2025

PEI Arts Awards

Nominations for the 2025 PEI Arts Awards open September 8. Sponsored by Innovation PEI, this annual awards program recognizes and honours individuals, groups, and organizations across the province who have made outstanding contributions to PEI’s arts and culture sector. Eligible nominees must be PEI residents who have maintained a primary Island residence for at least 12 consecutive months. Nominations close on October 6. Info/nominate: princeedwardisland.ca/artsawards

Plein Air Painting & Art Sale

hold a jury session on September 14 to accept new members for its 2026 season. Artists looking for an opportunity to showcase their talent are encouraged to apply. Visit artisanswaterfront.ca for membership details, application guidelines, and jury instructions.

Public art survey

The City of Charlottetown is updating its Public Art Policy and invites residents to share their thoughts on public art, including what types they want to see and where, through an online survey. Since the policy was last updated in 2020, a new cultural staff position and Cultural Policy have been created. The updated Public Art Policy will help Council, staff, and the City’s Arts Advisory Board to make strategic decisions on public art in alignment with the Cultural Policy and Strategic Plan. Community and

Gordon Harrison

Reception and painting demo at Details Fine Art Gallery

OCTOBER BUZZ DEADLINE

Monday, Sept 15th

Advertising: sales@buzzpei.com

Editorial: info@buzzpei.com

Fine Art Gallery welcomes award-winning Canadian landscape artist Gordon Harrison to Prince Edward Island.

For the 2025 season, Harrison has painted a PEI series including Canola Fields Collection (Springbrook), North Shore Collection, Cradled By the Sea Collection, and Wild Blueberry Fields (Tignish) Collection

MARKETS

Charlottetown

The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market is open from 9 am–2 pm on Saturdays yearround. Local farmers, crafters, artisans and hot food vendors sell local, organic produce, fish, meats, baked goods, preserves, roasted coffee, specialty teas, and more. 100 Belvedere Ave, Charlottetown.

Downtown Charlottetown

The Downtown Charlottetown Farmers Market features more than 90 local vendors offering fresh produce, food service, handmade goods, entertainment, and more. Open Sundays from 10 am–3

A reception with the artist will take place on September 19, from 4–7 pm at the Gallery, 160 Richmond Street, Charlottetown.

On September 20, Harrison will be conducting a live painting demonstration at the Gallery from 11 am–3 pm. All are welcome and there is no admission fee. detailsfineart.com

pm until September 28 at Confederation Landing Park, 2 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Murray Harbour

The Murray Harbour Farmers Market is open from 9 am–12 noon on Saturdays until October 18 at the Murray Harbour Community Centre. Buy local from Island artists, bakers, farmers, and producers. Follow on FB @ murrayharbourfarmersmarket for event updates. 27 Faye Fraser Dr, Murray Harbour.

Summerside

Find local produce, baked goods, meat, fish, prepared food, cheese, artisans and more at the Summerside Farmers’ Market. Open weekly on Saturdays from 9 am–1 pm at 250 Water St, Summerside.

Details

Gordon Harrison, Canola Fields Collection, No. 12 (detail), oil on canvas, 48” x 48”

Fix Your Plate by

Tara Reeves

Tara Reeves

As the crisp air of September settles in and harvest season hits its peak, there’s a special satisfaction in gathering the fruits of the season’s labour. This time of year is a reminder of a valuable tradition: preserving food. It’s a practice that connects us to our past, provides future security, and lets us enjoy the taste of summer all year long.

My own family’s tradition of canning goes back generations. I remember visiting my grandparents’ “cold room,” a place filled with dusty jars and the history of past harvests. Seeing that room filled with preserved food taught me the importance of putting food away for later. Today, with rising grocery prices, this age-old tradition is more relevant than ever, offering a way to save money and ensure a steady supply of nutri tious food.

While ancient civilizations used meth ods like drying, salting, and fermen tation, the process of sealing food in sterilized jars with heat, known as can ning, is a more recent invention, only about 300 years old. Canned foods can last for several years without losing their flavour or nutritional value.

There are two main methods for can ning: water bath canning and pressure canning. The method you use depends on the food. High acid foods such as jams, jellies, pickles, and salsas are per fect for the water bath method, which involves submerging sealed jars in boiling water. For low acid foods like meats and vegetables, you must use a pressure canner. This method heats the food under steam pressure, reaching higher temperatures to safely preserve these items.

Proper research is essential to avoid health risks like food poisoning. Always follow tested recipes and instructions to ensure your canned goods are safe to enjoy.

If you are new to food preservation, a great place to start is with “bottling” or making quick pickles. A better place to start might be with freezer jams.

ISLAND ARTIST

susan christensen

L.M. Montgomery and the Spirit of Place

Paintings inspired by the poetry of Montgomery

Susan will paint live Tues - Thurs 10 am - 4 pm

CREATIVE

Island Treasures Needleart Guild

The Island Treasures Needleart Guild meets at the St. Eleanor’s Fire Hall at 1 West Drive from 7–9 pm every Monday from September to June. New members are welcome. Members can practice embroidery and needlework in all its forms, including knitting and crocheting, or exchange ideas on stitchery and related crafts. No experience is necessary, and mentorship is available. Info: barryandshell@pei.sympatico.ca, 902-436-8795

Crafternoon for kids

Kids of all ages can drop by the Summerside Library between 1–3 pm on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays to craft. Activities include back to school fun, art with dots, straw-bees and things, and braids and weaves.

Fibre Arts Club

in Summerside. The sessions will run from 12:30–1:45 pm or 2:15–3:30 pm on Sunday afternoons from October 19 to December 7. Children will experiment with painting, clay, collage, paper crafts, puppet making, drawing, and more. Call 902-888-8373 to pre-register.

Paint Club for adults

Adults can drop in to the Charlottetown Library to paint, socialize, and hang out on September 8 and 22 at 1 pm.

Crafternoon

Crafternoon takes place in the Makerspace at the Charlottetown Library on September 10 at 1 pm. This month, participants will create their own macrame wrist keychain. All materials are provided. Call 902-368-4642 to pre-register.

Sewing Club

Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild

The Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild meets on the third Wednesday of the month from September through June (excluding December), from 7–9 pm at the Benevolent Irish Society. The next meeting is September 17. New members and visitors are welcome. This is a scent-free meeting. Info: 902-676-1000; @Kindred Spirits Quilt Guild of PEI on FB. 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown.

Stratford Poppy Project

Drop into the Makerspace at the Charlottetown Library on September 20 from 10 am–12 pm to knit or crochet poppies. Contribute to the Poppy Drape, to be unveiled at Stratford Town Hall on November 11. All supplies are provided, and a helper will be on hand for beginners.

Dazzling Dragons

Kids aged 6–12 can enjoy stories, games, and crafts about dragons in the Children’s Room at the Charlottetown Library on September 21 at 1 pm.

PEI Modern Quilt Guild

Green Gables Visitor Centre entrance fees apply Poetry by Deirdre Kessler inspired by the painting of Christensen Sponsored by L.M. Montgomery is a trademark of Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Inc.

Fibre Arts Club runs weekly on Tuesdays at the Charlottetown Library. Bring supplies or a current project and drop in between 1–3 pm to join other knitters, crocheters, rug hookers, and fibre and textile makers.

Creative PEI ArtMobile

All ages are welcome to drop in to the Makerspace at the Charlottetown Library on September 3 and 17 from 5–7 pm for creative art time with the Creative PEI ArtMobile. Make something new from the art supplies provided, or bring your own materials/work-in-progress project.

Creative Kids Club

Kids aged 6–12 can join a creative after school club in the Children’s Room at the Charlottetown Library. The club meets weekly on Wednesdays at 3:30 pm. Each week offers a selection of crafts and activities such as slime creatures (Sept 10), paper airplane palooza (Sept 17), and a paint party (Sept 24).

Let’s Get Creative Art Club

Ryan McAdam-Young, an art educator with Let’s Get Creative, will instruct an eight-week art program for kids aged 5–14 at Eptek Art & Culture Centre

Join fellow sewing and mending enthusiasts (ages 12+) in the Charlottetown Library Makerspace on September 11 from 5–8 pm. Bring a machine and projects, start a beginner-friendly project, explore sewing tools and techniques, or try a machine with guidance.

Book Nooks

Teens can create a book nook for their bookshelves at the Summerside Library on September 14 at 2 pm.

Eptek workshops

Eptek Art & Culture Centre’s September workshops include a one-day stained glass flower Make it and Take it session and a PEI seasonal-themed Make it and Take it workshop with Lynn Provance. The Fuse Glass workshop with Carolyn Cross runs September 14 from 1–3 pm. Just Artin’ Around with Karen Slater is on September 17 from 9 am–12 noon. Iris Folding with Angéle Arsenault takes place September 21 from 1–3 pm, and Chalk Pastels with Joan Savage runs September 24 from 10 am–3 pm. For details, fees, and registration, visit peimuseum.com or call 902-888-8373.

Bird Bookmarks

Drop in to the monthly creative corner at the Summerside Library for a chance to socialize while making bird bookmarks on September 15 at 6:30 pm or September 17 at 2 pm.

The PEI Modern Quilt Guild will meet on September 25 from 7–9 pm at the PEI Farm Centre, 420 University Ave, Charlottetown. New members and visitors are welcome. This is a scent-free meeting. Info: peimqg@gmail.com

Halftone & Haven watercolour painting

Youth aged 13+ are invited to join teen organization Halftone & Haven at the Charlottetown Library, 97 Queen St, for a watercolour painting session on September 28 at 2 pm. Student artists will guide participants in creating artwork that will be collected to raise funds for local shelters. Registration is required at 902-368-4642. Materials are provided.

Seniors Arts Activities

Seniors Arts Activities take place at Confederation Centre of the Arts on select Thursdays from 10 am–12 noon. The next art activity days are October 4, November 13, and December 4. Participants visit the Gallery for an introduction to current exhibitions followed by an art making activity in the Schurman Family Studio. Refreshments are provided. Info/register: 902-566-1267; confederationcentre.com

The arc of the sun

Will Baker and Phil Mercier photo exhibition

Tracking the path of the sun from one solstice to another is the focus of September’s show in the Breadalbane Gallery Annex.

Using about a dozen pinhole cameras that Will Baker and Phil Mercier asked people to install across the Island, the exhibition records the sun’s arc from last Winter Solstice to this Spring. The resulting photographs will hang in the Annex. At each location, the camera creates a solar graph marking each day, but the arc varies depending on obstructions, moisture, or debris entering the simple cameras.

A reception will be held from 6–8 pm on September 12. Will Baker will speak about the pinhole process and its potential for a larger art project, while the upper Gallery will feature mostly new work from Gallery artists.

The Gallery has welcomed three new artists—Joe MacAllar, Arjun Thappa, and Rich MacDonald—and Yuzhu Yang returns with paintings and drawings. Other Gallery artists include Zoe Novaczek, Laura Bain, Denise Livingstone, Leo (Liu, Xin), Joan Sutton, Marianne Janowicz, Haley

Lewis, Silver Frith, Erin Veitch, Will Baker, and others.

The Breadalbane Gallery is a notfor-profit community space featuring new work on the second Friday of each month. It is located at 4023 Dixon Road in Breadalbane. Regular hours are Tuesday 11 am–3 pm, Wednesday 9 am–1 pm, and Thursday 4–8 pm.

For more information, visit the Breadalbane Gallery Facebook page.

EXPLORE

WELJESI

JERRY EVANS

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 28

HIDDEN BLACKNESS

EDWARD MITCHELL BANNISTER

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 14

BENEVOLENT, IRISH, AND SOCIAL

200 YEARS OF SERVICE TO ISLANDERS

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 14

THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE

KATHLEEN DALY AND GEORGE PEPPER

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 28

EAST OF EAST

THE ATLANTIC CANADIAN

HIP HOP ARCHIVE

UNTIL OCTOBER 5

Curated by David Woods and organized and circulated by Owens Art Gallery in partnership with the Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia

Curated by Michael McGuire based on exhibtion at MSVU Art Gallery

Organized and circulated by

The Rooms (St. John’s, NL)

Curated by Pan Wendt

Curated by Jenelle Duval

Benevolent Irish Society of Prince Edward Island

The Land and Its People, Kathleen Daly and George Pepper curated by Pan Wendt

Will Baker with a photo from the exhibition

ARTISTS & ARTISANS

Art Buds Gallery

Showcasing locally handmade original art from over 45 Island makers and artisans. Daily drop-in activities and artists-led workshops are on offer. 329 Water St, Summerside. artbuds.ca

Art Gallery of Tony Diodati

Featuring original works and limited edition giclee prints by Tony Diodati. Open Monday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday, 12–5 pm. 241 Paynter Rd, Spring Brook. tonydiodati.com

Artisans on Main Souris

A non-profit gallery run by local artists ranging from teens to seniors from the Points East Coastal Drive. Features fine art such as pottery, jewelry, visual arts, fibre, textiles, woodwork, and more. Workshops with a local artisan are available. Open daily 10 am–5 pm until the end of September. (artisansonmainsouris@gmail.com, 902-327-0441). 14 Hebrew Ave, Souris.

Artisans Waterfront

An artist-run cooperative gallery featuring the work of 45 PEI artists and crafters in all mediums, including pottery, jewelry, glassware, photography, paintings, hooked rugs, quilts, soaps, wood and bone sculptures, edibles, and more. Open

daily, 10 am–5 pm Monday–Saturday and 12–5 pm on Sunday until September 30. 1 Station St, Montague. artisanswaterfront.ca

Bailey Studio Gallery

Featuring professional calibre painting supplies and specialty pieces, major works, and large, traditional oil paintings by Kathy Marlene Bailey. Email or call ahead (902-962-3642, kmb@professionalart.ca). 119757 Shore Rd, Little Sands.

Bedford Station Gallery

Showcasing the work of local artists Beth Hoar, Gloria Wooldridge, Christina White, Heather Reid, Barb Hanson, Betty Jenkins, Berni Wood, Carolyn Hayes Hessinger, Gary Schoenfeldt, Gene Wood, Gweneth Brandt-Rice, Hank Bus, Helene LaRouche, Katarina McCourt, Leo Marchildon, LiliAnne Webster, Lucas Picard, Margaret Wailes, Ron Patterson, Sara Arya, Simonne Smith, Taylor Martin, Vhikthor Vholkhem, and Wayne W Crouse. 96 Rte 6, Bedford.

Birchtree Gallery

Showcasing Mi’kmaq woven baskets, painting, pottery, Island potato soap, beaded jewelry, landscape paintings, and more. 8 Main St, Victoria. birchtreegallery.ca

Creative Rebel Studio

A boutique and gallery featuring artist Patrick Guindon’s paintings of nature and lighthouses. Programs are available, including workshops for adults, programs for kids, and open studio drop-in times. 538 Rte 4, Montague. creativerebelstudio.com

Details Fine Art Gallery

Featuring original art by Island artists, as well as fine art from national and international artists in a variety of media and subject matter, including paintings, sculpture, art glass, ceramics, and designer jewellery. 166 Richmond St, Charlottetown. detailsfineart.com

Dunes Island Art Gallery

Featuring handcrafted paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, metalwork, and more. Open daily, 9 am–8 pm. 3622 Brackley Point Rd, Brackley Beach. dunesgallery.ca

Gaudreau Fine Woodworking

Featuring a unique collection of pottery, wood, fibre, weaving, paintings, glass, and jewelry by Maritime artisans. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 am–5 pm. 11 Grand Pere Point Rd, Rte 242, South Rustico.

Island Girl Studio

Featuring artist Donna White’s collection of watercolours and art cards. Open Tuesdays and Sundays, 12–5 pm, or by

appointment (email dmwhite775@gmail. com). 65 Anderson Rd, St. Peters.

Island Winds

Featuring musically-tuned, Island-made windchimes. 3827 Millvale Rd, South Granville. islandwindcraft.com

J. Bergman Art Studio

Featuring edgy and contemporary original paintings by Summerside artist Janos Bergman. Works are regularly exhibiting in Europe and PEI. Viewings are available by appointment (email janosbergman917@gmail.com or call 902786-3614). 123 Heron Ave, Summerside. bergmanartpei.ca

Jeanette Walker Jewellery

Jeanette Walker designs custom jewellery, and repurposes and redesigns heirlooms and outdated jewellery. jeanettewalkerjewellery.com

June Ellis Studio

Featuring oil paintings, prints, notecards, and bookmarks by PEI artist June Ellis. Commissions and appointments are available (email juneellisartist@gmail. com or call 902-439-8774). Rte 12, East Bideford, Ellerslie. juneellis.com

Karen Gallant Gallery in Rustico

Featuring paintings by local artist Karen Gallant, fine art reproductions, art cards, and unique finds. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm (with possible extended hours) until October. The new location is 1990 Church Rd, Rustico, in the former St Augustine’s Credit Union building. karengallant.com

Kensington Art Co-op Gallery

Featuring an eclectic blend of artwork from over 30 local artists. Located in a historic freight shed in the heart of Kensington, host artists often paint on-site. Labour Day sale on August 30–31. Open daily from 10 am–4 pm until September 28 at 27 Commercial St, behind Island Stone Pub. 902-886-0331

Knit Pickers PEI Studio

Featuring only Canadian goods, including wool, knitting needles, knitting and weaving accessories, and wool pellets for gardening. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 11 am–4 pm. Knit Nights Tuesday from 7:30–9 pm. 566 Line Rd, Rte 13, Mayfield. knitpickerspei.com

Kro In The Sky Art Studio

Featuring an assortment of dichroic and seaglass jewelry, stained glass, mosaics, and fine art. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. 1800 Point Prim Rd, Belfast. krointhesky.com

McAskill’s Fine Crafts Studio

Featuring furniture and crafts, pottery, fine art, metal work, glass, and giftware by PEI and Atlantic artisans. 26 Beasley Ave, Charlottetown.

Messy Crow Studio

Showcasing wool artwork (felting on denim, in frames, and dimensional critters), sea glass, vintage jewelry, pottery, candles, soaps, and retro finds from over 20 Maritime artisans. Open Tuesday–Friday, 10 am–4 pm, and Saturday, 10 am–1 pm. Rte 335, St Catherine’s Rd, Souris.

Michael Stanley Pottery

Showcasing pottery by Malcolm and Michael Stanley, as well as fine art by Michelle MacCallum, Sydney White Ceramics, Linko Pottery, Sea Clay Raku, Sticks and Stones Pottery, Moonsnail Soapworks, Joan Sutton, Renée Laprise, Unraveling Joy, Fish Shirts, Roaming Crow, Sea Winds Pottery, The Quiet Potter, Yara Ceramics, and Amy’s Pots. 22 Howard St, Victoria. michaelstanleypottery.com

Northern Watters Knitwear

Featuring handcrafted sweaters, shawls, stoles, ponchos, and PEI arts and crafts. 150 Richmond St, Charlottetown. nwknitwear.com

PEI Crafts Council

Showcasing work by 150 local artisans, including pottery, jewelry, wood, textile and quilting, glass, and fine art. 98 Water St, Charlottetown. peicraftscouncil.com

PEI Fox Den

Featuring work by over 60 local artists and artisans, including pottery, apparel, candles, soaps, visual art, knitted goods, embroidery, woodwork, chocolate, tea, coffee, honey, maple syrup, music, FloaTEA treats, and the original PEI Fox Mug™. Open Tuesday–Sunday. 2852 1A, North Bedeque. peifoxden.ca

PhoArts Studio

Showcasing photography, visual and digital art, and paintings by photographer and artist Leona Arsenault. Open by appointment or by chance. 108 John Paul Rd, Abram-Village.

Rustico Bay Wool Sweater Company

Featuring handmade wool sweaters and accessories, one-of-a-kind knitware, and giftware. Open daily, 10 am–6 pm. 7218 Rustico Rd, Rte 6, North Rustico. rusticosweaters.pe.ca

Sandie Noceans Art

Featuring art, acrylic, watercolour, greeting cards, driftwood Santas, seaglass art, and curated merchandise. Cash or etransfer only. 1285 Victoria Rd, Route 116, Victoria.

Silkwalker Originals

Featuring quality Island-crafted products, including hand-painted silk scarves and accessories by Heather Walker. Custom orders are accepted. Call ahead at 902-330-8188. The PEI Crafts Council Studios, 94 Water St, Charlottetown. silkwalker.com

Stanley Bridge Studios

Featuring Island crafts, jewelry, pottery, art, woodwork, ironwork, home and garden decor, clothing, and accessories. Open daily, 10 am–5 pm. 10090 Rte 6, Stanley Bridge.

The Studio Gallery

An artist-run gallery exhibiting art by Island artists, including original works in oils, watercolour, batik etching, and pigment prints. Featuring the printmaking studio of Doreen Foster, pottery by Emily Dunsmore, and fine art reproductions by Maurice Bernard and Karen Gallant. 4 Howard St, Victoria. studiogallery.ca

Thompson’s Woodcraft

Featuring wood-turning by Wilfred Thompson. Open Monday–Saturday, 9 am–6 pm, and Sunday by appointment (call 902-887-3459). 2979 Rte 1A, North Bedeque. thompsonswoodcraft.ca

Twisted Knickers Indigo Dyeing

Offering indigo dyeing and workshops. Open through September with varying hours. Call ahead at 902-439-0885. 94 Water St, Charlottetown.

Village Pottery

Featuring handcrafted pottery, localy-made jewellery, crafts, artwork, clothing, and accessories. 10567 Route 6, New London. villagepottery.ca

ARTS MIXERS at

Mavor’s

Thursday, September 25 | Mavor’s Lounge | 4 PM - 7PM

CALLING ARTS & CULTURE FOLKS!

We’re bringing back the get-togethers.

No agenda, just great conversations, new connections, and meeting fellow artists and arts workers.

Come raise a glass, swap stories, and reconnect with your arts community. No speeches. No schedule. Just good people and good vibes.

CONFEDERATION CENTRE.COM

EXHIBITS

galleries, museums...

Acadian Museum of PEI

Visit the permanent exhibit, Island Acadians: a community and its history, featuring a diorama, 25 interpretation panels, 145 pictures/illustrations, and 124 objects representing the material culture of the Acadians of PEI. Acadian genealogy resources are available and there is a gift shop on site. 23 Main Dr. E., Miscouche. Info: museeacadien.org, 902432-2880, museeacadien@gmail.com

Breadalbane Gallery

Will Baker and Phil Mercier present the resulting photographs of tracking the path of the sun from one solstice to another using about a dozen pinhole cameras in the gallery’s annex. The exhibition opens September 12 with a reception from 6–8 pm. Baker will speak about the pinhole process. Current gallery artists include Joe MacAllar, Arjun Thappa, Rich MacDonald, Yuzhu Yang, Zoe Novaczek, Laura Bain, Denise Livingstone, Leo (Liu, Xin), Joan Sutton, Marianne Janowicz, Haley Lewis, Silver Frith, Erin Veitch, and Will Baker. Open Tuesday 11 am–3 pm, Wednesday 9 am–1 pm, and Thursday 4–8 pm. 4023 Dixon Rd, Breadalbane. Info: @Breadalbane Gallery on FB.

Brian Burke House

The summer exhibition, Against My Better Judgement, presents 35 paintings by Brian Burke, displayed throughout the quaint 1880s-era house. The exhibition runs until September 19. Open Thursday to Saturday, 1–4 pm. The late painter’s final studio and home is located at 1345 Main St, Murray Harbour. brianburke.ch

Confederation Centre Art Gallery

On view: Hidden Blackness: Edward Mitchell Bannister until September 14; Benevolent, Irish, and Social: 200 Years of Service to Islanders until September 14; Jerry Evans: Weljesi until September 28;

Kathleen Daly and George Pepper: The Land and its People until September 28; and East of East: The Atlantic Canadian Hip Hop Archive until October 5. Open daily. Admission is by donation. 130 Queen St, Charlottetown. confederationcentre.com

Confederation Court Mall

The City of Charlottetown has two exhibits on view. A new pop-up exhibit, Charlottetown: A History, that honours and explores its history and development, is on view on the first floor of the mall until October 6. Ever Ready When Duty Calls: The History of the Charlottetown Fire Department, is on view on the second floor of the mall near the escalator until November 15. 134 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Cornwall Library Art Gallery

How I See It by Pam Taylor Bissonette is on view until September 12. Island Life by Lily-anne Hein opens September 16, with an opening celebration at 7 pm. This exhibition, on view until October 24, offers her personal perspective on PEI through a collection of paintings and drawings. Contact the library at 902-6298415 for information on displaying in the gallery. Open Tuesday–Wednesday (1–8:30 pm) and Thursday–Saturday (9:30 am–12:30 pm and 1–5:30 pm). 15 Mercedes Dr, Town Hall, Cornwall. library.pe.ca

Eptek Art & Culture Centre

The Celebration of Craft exhibition, Excellence in Craft, is on view until September 26. Our Climate Quest: Small Steps to Big Change, created by Science North, is on view from October 3–31. Visitors are invited to take a tour through the new Gallery of Kindness. A permanent exhibition on the history and architecture of Summerside is also on view. Admission is by donation. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside. peimuseum.ca

Lefurgey Cultural Centre

Hooked on Maurice: Art in Wool by the Lady Slipper Rug Hooking Guild is on view through September. Presented by Wyatt Heritage Properties as part of Summerside Arts Fest. 205 Prince St, Summerside.

North Nook Gallery

Premonitions, a sculptural installation by Sarah Noonan, is on view until September 23. It is displayed in the tiny art gallery space in the front window of The Guild, 111 Queen St, Charlottetown.

Summerside Rotary Library

Over 100 artworks by local artists, including original paintings, photography, handmade knits, mosaics, digital art, and more, adorn the library walls across three wheelchair-accessible levels, with an elevator for easy access. This ongoing exhibition changes throughout the year. 57 Central St, Summerside.

Charlie Angus

Resistance Tour makes two stops in PEI

Charlie Angus brings his Resistance Tour to PEI for two events this month. On September 5 at 7 pm, he will be at North Rustico Lions Club with guest speaker Michelle Neill and musical guests Rowen Gallant and Nick Ouwerkerk. The tour then stops at Carrefour Theatre in Charlottetown with musical guests Catherine O’Brien and Kelley Mooney and an open reception from 6:30–7:30 pm.

Born in Timmins, Ontario in 1962, Charlie Angus came to prominence as a bassist and co-songwriter of the early 80s punk band L’Étranger, known for its anti-apartheid anthem “One People” and influenced by The Clash and Catholic social-justice ideals. In the mid-80s he formed the folk-rock group Grievous Angels, continuing to blend music with activism. During his Toronto years he and his wife Brit Griffin founded a Catholic Worker house and homeless shelter, embodying grassroots DIY change.

Angus’s shift to electoral politics was spurred by his leadership in the Adams Mine anti-dump campaign in 1989, where he realized community mobilization could challenge corporate

Citizen Recognition

Honouring volunteers and community members

Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown and City Council recently celebrated the achievements of residents who have made a significant impact in the community. Held as part of the Natal Day celebrations for the City’s 170th birthday, the event honoured volunteers and community members who have devoted their time and efforts to making Charlottetown a better place to live, work and play.

The Citizen Recognition Awards recognize extraordinary Charlottetown residents who go above and beyond to positively impact the people and community around them. This year, three residents were recognized: Emily Le, Matt Pelletier, and Oyindamola Funsho.

The Forbes Kennedy Volunteer of the Year Award was established in honour of Forbes Kennedy, a retired Canadian professional hockey player who approached his 30-year on-ice career with commitment and determination. The award goes to someone in the community who has made a positive impact and shows the same

power directly. He joined the NDP and was elected as MP for Timmins— James Bay in 2004, often championing Indigenous rights, income inequality, and First Nations education—notably passing “Shannen’s Dream” unanimously in 2012.

Following two decades in Parliament, Angus retired from electoral life and continues to speak out on democracy, anti-fascism, Indigenous justice and affordability.

dedication and determination exemplified by “Forbie” himself. The 2025 Award was presented to Edie Rogers.

The City of Charlottetown David “Eli” MacEachern Bursary was established in recognition of PEI’s first Olympic Gold Medalist, Charlottetown native David “Eli” MacEachern. It is presented annually to a student graduating from Charlottetown Rural High School, Colonel Gray High School or École François-Buote, who is dedicated to excellence in sports during their high school years. The 2025 recipient of the bursary is Alex Nicholson, a Colonel Gray High School student.

The Make Our Hometown Beautiful (MOHB) program recognizes residents, businesses and community groups who maintain beautiful buildings and landscapes. The MOHB winning properties in 2025 are: 15 Bayfield Street (1st), 149 and 151 North River Road (2nd), 8 Ambrose Street (3rd), and 43 Evergreen Drive (Mayor’s Choice).

The Make Our Hometown Beautiful program also recognizes participants in Downtown Charlottetown Inc.’s Adopt-A-Corner initiative. The 2025 winners are as follows in the “Established” category: Frank Zakem Memorial (1st), Trinity United Church (2nd), and Slay Maker & Nichols Gastro House (3rd). In the “New” category, the winners are Havenwood Dance Studio (1st), Pink Crow (2nd), and a tie between Beaton’s Wholesale & PEI Photo Lab (3rd).

Test Press

This Town is Small members’ experiments

This Town is Small’s (TTIS) artist program Test Press gives artists space in the Hilda Woolnough Gallery at the Guild to experiment with new ideas, trial runs, and artistic research. The program encourages the activation of the artistic process by creating a space where artists can share their practice through developing new work, conducting research, engaging with peers and the public, and utilising the gallery space.

Test Press runs from September 8 to October 31, with projects on view to the public during gallery hours. Participating artists receive support from TTIS staff and have access to tools and equipment throughout their project period.

ANDREW LEWIS

Artist Kirstie McCallum working on their Test Press project in 2024

Cavendish,

September

SCREEN

Cinema Under the Stars

Cinema Under the Stars returns, bringing three nights of free outdoor movies to the Victoria Park Cultural Pavilion from August 28–30. This year’s movie lineup includes The Parent Trap on August 28, Thunderbolts on August 29, and Migration on August 30. All screenings begin at 8:30 pm. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs, and a designated blanket-only area will be marked to ensure clear sightlines for all. Concessions will be available for purchase onsite (cash only). Info: charlottetown.ca/cinema

Tivoli Cinema screens a variety of new and old releases. Upcoming screenings include: The Toxic Avenger, 1984 (Aug 29); The Toxic Avenger, 2025 (Aug 29–Sept 4); Dirty Work: The Dirtier Cut (Aug 30–31); Lurker, 2025 (Sept 5–11); Clueless, 1995 (Sept 5–6); Drunken Cinema Presents: Big Trouble in Little China, 1986 (Sept 12); Somnium, 2025 (Sept 12–14); The Master, 2012 (Sept 13); Boogie Nights, 1997 (Sept 14); It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, 2025 (Sept 15–16); The Upper Room Food Bank Presents: Airports, 2024 (Sept 17); Real Life, 1979 (Sept 18); The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975 (Sept 20); Gone Girl, 2014 (Sept 21); Inherent Vice, 2014 (Sept 26); There Will Be Blood, 2007 (Sept 28); Roving Picture Show Presents: Robin , 1922 (Sept 29). For showtimes, updates and tickets visit tivolicinema. com. 155 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Afternoon movie

Visit the Charlottetown Library or the Summerside Library for an afternoon movie. In Charlottetown, Good

Morning Vietnam (AA) (1987) screens on September 2 at 1 pm. In Summerside, The Sound of Music (G) (1965) plays on September 4 at 2 pm.

Family Movie

Families and kids of all ages are invited to drop into the Summerside Library or the Charlottetown Library for family-friendly movies this month. In Summerside, a movie (title TBA) will screen on September 2 at 1 pm. In Charlottetown, Dog Man will be shown on September 14 at 1 pm. Popcorn provided.

Anime Club (18+)

Watch and discuss two episodes of anime at the Charlottetown Library on September 9 at 6 pm. Titles change monthly and are chosen at the start of every meeting.

Roving Picture Shows

This month, Roving Picture Shows will present four nights of cinema—from a Canadian documentary classic to a swashbuckling silent epic with live music by Island Jazz. The September screenings include Of Whales, the Moon, and Men (Pour la suite du monde) (1962) on September 13 at 7:30 pm. This free screening will be held at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown. In collaboration with Island Jazz, three silent films with live musical accompaniment will be presented: Asphalt (1929) on September 6 at 7:30 pm at the Malpeque Community Centre, with a live guitar score by Chris Corrigan; Pandora’s Box (1929) on September 27 at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown, with live musical accompaniment TBA; and on September 29, celebrate Silent Movie Day—the annual worldwide event honouring the artistry of pre-sound cinema—with a screening of Robin Hood (1922) at Tivoli in Charlottetown, featuring a live piano score by Max Keenlyside. Info/tickets: @Roving Picture Shows on social media.

Charlottetown Darkroom screening and zines

The Charlottetown Darkroom (CDR) is a group of photographers establishing a dedicated community space to practice film photography on PEI. CDR is hosting a film screening and zine launch at 7:30 pm on September 16 at the Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown. This is a free event, with zines and snacks for sale to raise money for the establishment of a community darkroom in the city. The Heatwave zines were created from photos taken at the group’s first photo walk event in late June. The film to be screened is Finding Vivian Maier, a documentary centered around an enigmatic mid 20th century photographer who produced a prolific body of work while employed as a nanny. Info: charlottetowndarkroom@ gmail.com, @chtowndrkrm on IG

Monday Movie

Teens can enjoy snacks and a movie at the Summerside Library on September 22 at 6 pm. The featured film is Death of a Unicorn (PG-13).

Clueless

Tivoli Cinema

talking to humans…

Millefiore Clarkes short doc premiering at festivals this fall

A new short experimental documentary by PEI filmmaker Millefiore Clarkes, talking to humans about the end of the world, begins its festival life at the Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) and the Lunenburg Doc Fest (LDF) in September. The film follows the line of observation that has run through all of Millefiore’s recent films, including Solastalgia and An Impression of Everything. With this new film she is, again, attempting to stay present with the cognitive dissonance that is endemic in the age of climate crisis and ecological collapse.

talking to humans about the end of the world is a meditative observation of life unfolding over one (too hot) summer on Prince Edward Island, through the gaze of the director. As global crises intersect, dovetail, and cascade on the horizon, creating a throbbing hum of anxiety and embodied discomfort, the humans on one small island cradled in the Atlantic Ocean pursue the habits and necessities of daily life in a late-stage-capitalist milieu. Amidst the awareness (and denial) of a world on fire, resistance and joy persist. The world has always been ending. This is how it is ending now. And this is what it feels like, from here.

The voice of the film comes through

the original poetry written and performed by poet and artist Chanel Briggs. The soundtrack of the film reflects its themes and includes the piece “Mass for the Endangered” by Sarah Kirkland Snider as performed on PEI by the Luminos Ensemble, and “Dying to Live” by Rich Aucoin. The humans in the film are fellow Islanddwellers from many walks of life, all of whom are collectively navigating a complex age of crisis with fortitude and humour.

Millefiore’s original intention was to include, as the name would suggest, dialogue with the film’s participants: conversations with her community about, well, the end of the world. But as the editing process unfolded it became clear that a stronger message might come through in silent observation and visual juxtaposition, allowing for the audience to fill in the space with their own reflections. And so, in contrast to its title, there is no talking in this film, other than the words of poet Chanel Briggs.

The film screens on September 14 at 7 pm as part of AIFF’s Reel East Coast Shorts Gala, and on September 21 at LDF. talking to humans about the end of the world is distributed by La Distributrice de Films.

SUBMITTED

Chanel Briggs (left) and Sally Bernard

Welcome to City Cinema from The Charlottetown Film Society

City Cinema is owned and operated by our non-profit Society. We welcome donations, and can provide tax receipts. We will continue to present a diverse mix of films and welcome your suggestions and support. Become a member, bring friends, and share feedback!

Advance Tickets

Please visit our website at citycinema.ca, we accept all major credit cards online and both debit and credit at the cinema. Seating may be limited, advance tickets are strongly recommended.

Subject to Change

Film availability and showtimes are subject to change. Please check our website and book tickets in advance.

Rent City Cinema

City Cinema is available for rent for private film viewings! We provide the projectionist and will have the canteen and bar open for your group. Please check the Venue Rental on our website and send us an email! We’ll respond with information and rates.

Admission

Regular $12

Member $9

65 and over $10

14 and under $ 8

We now accept credit cards online and both debit and credit at the cinema

Annual membership - $30.00

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs

Tonight

August 28–September 1

Drama. 14A. Dir: Embeth Davidtz, US, 2025, 98 min. Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, Zikhona Bali. In English and Shona with English subtitles.

“Alexandra Fuller’s bestselling 2001 memoir of growing up in Africa is so cinematic, full of personal drama and political upheaval against a vivid landscape, that it’s a wonder it hasn’t been turned into a film before. But it was worth waiting for Embeth Davidtz’s eloquent adaptation, which depicts a child’seye view of the civil war that created the country of Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, a change the girl’s white colonial parents fiercely resisted… Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is set in 1980, just before and during the election that would bring the country’s Black majority to power. Bobo is a raggedy kid with a perpetually dirty face and uncombed hair, who’s seen at times riding a motorbike or sneaking cigarettes. She runs around the family farm, whose run-down look and dusty ground tell of a hardscrabble existence. The film was shot in South Africa, and Willie Nel’s cinematography, with glaring bright light, suggests the scorching feel of the sun. Much of the story is told in Bobo’s voiceover and in another daring and effective choice, all of it is told from her point of view… Davidtz’s screenplay deftly lets us hear and see the racism that surrounds the child, and the ideas that she has innocently taken in from her parents. And we recognize the emotional cost of the war, even when Bobo doesn’t. There is more of Fuller’s memoir that might be a source for other adaptations. But it is hard to imagine any would be more beautifully realized than this… It’s an extraordinary adaptation.” —Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter

The 7th Annual New York Cat Film Festival

September 2–6

Documentary. PG. Dir: Various. International, 2025, 99 min. 10% of Box Office will be donated to the P.E.I. Humane Society.

All the films are family-friendly and can be enjoyed by humans of all ages.

variety of toys it is given. In Leonardo’s Last Luncheon by Academy Award winner Joan Carol Gratz Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper comes to life, with kitty apostles licking their chops at the tasty meal. The heartwarming doc Nine Lives is about a cat who has an entire neighborhood fooled, with several folks believing they are the only ones who love and look after her. There also are inspiring documentaries about cat rescuers. So It Began is about Calvin Tucker, who has single-handedly trapped, neutered, and released more than 600 animals. A New Home for an Old Cat chronicles the adventures of Gotelind, an older feline who narrates how he got a second chance when he was adopted from a shelter. One of the final shorts is the beautiful, dreamy narrative Cat Kingdom. It follows a young woman as she strolls through an ancient Italian hill town filled with cats, each seemingly transforming into a human as she walks by. These films and the rest inspire, educate, and entertain us with a wonderful evening of feline fun.

Girl Climber

September 6–7

Documentary. PG, language, mature content. Dir: Jon Glassberg, Austria/US, 2025, 89 min. Emily Harrington, Adrian Ballinger, Alex Honnold.

Professional climber Emily Harrington has summited Everest, 8000-meter peaks, and dominated the competition circuit but, her greatest challenge extends beyond the physical. To cement her legacy in the world of elite rock climbing, she sets her sights on a career-defining 24-hour ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan. Caught between the pursuit of personal ambition and the ticking biological clock of life, a near-fatal fall forces Emily to reckon with what she’s willing to risk. Equal parts gripping survival story and intimate portrait, Girl Climber isn’t just about breaking records, it’s about breaking barriers. Amongst Yosemite’s legendary boy’s club, Emily isn’t proving she is the best girl climber - she is proving she is one of the best.

Colours of Time (La venue de l’avenir)

September 8–14

Comedy/Drama. PG, mature content. Dir: Cédric Klapisch, France, 2025, 124 min. Suzanne Lindon, Vassili Schneider, Vincent Macaigne. In French with English subtitles.

“Past, present and a generous helping of poetic license all merge entertainingly in Cédric Klapisch’s classy Colours of Time. A thoughtful comic meditation on changing social mores it re-examines some muchloved myths and images of French history… In the present day, a diverse group of individuals discover that they are all descended from the same woman: Adèle Meunier, who hails from the Normandy countryside. With Adèle’s

abandoned house due for demolition, four descendants undertake to enter the premises and inspect its contents. They are anxious exec Céline, affable neo-hippie beekeeper Guy, French teacher Abdel, and Seb, a young online content creator… Klapisch cuts between this quartet… and the adventures of Adèle who, in the last years of the 19th century, leaves Normandy and heads for Paris, in search of her lost mother… Meanwhile, assorted eminences of the period flit in and out of the action… Klapisch plays the temporal zig-zagging astutely, showing each period reflected in the other… To us, the streets of fin de siècle Paris may look reassuringly calm, but the film also lets us see them through Adèle’s eyes as a frenetic bustle, the newly erected Eiffel Tower looming as a precursor of a barely imaginable era to come…. It’s all part of the pleasure of a film that is unashamedly crowd-pleasing.” —Jonathan Romney, Screen Daily

Splitsville

September 13 & 15–20

Comedy/Drama. 14A, language, nudity, sexual content. Dir: Michael Angelo Covino, US, 2025, 104 min. Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, Michael Angelo Covino.

“Splitsville follows two couples… When Ashley asks for a divorce, the good-natured Carey runs to his friends, Julie and Paul, for support. Their secret to happiness is an open marriage; that is, until Carey crosses the line and throws all of their relationships into chaos… The romantic rollercoaster doesn’t end there, as one couple’s strife quickly exposes the cracks in the other’s marriage. As the foursome try to work out their situation, some of the bigger laughs come from instances of

The 7th annual NY Cat Film Festival is a delight! The 19 short films include documentaries, dramas, live action and animation. Mikey Hammer, Purrivate Eye is a humorous film noir spoof. Cat Advocacy follows a cat who shows little interest in the large

full-frontal male nudity and lots of unexpected confrontations between couplings - including an epic and violently comedic showdown between Paul and Carey. But much like the concept of an open marriage, the movie proves to be less about who you’re having sex with (or not) and more about the importance of communication.” —Ellise Shafer, Angelique Jackson, Variety

“A madcap romantic comedy… Not only is this a dark, delightful, and devious joy of an experience from start to finish… It also manages to poke fun at relationships while being oddly romantic and charming, making it a winner with layers.” —Chase Hutchinson, The Playlist “Fast and furiously funny… this comedy of manners about two couples in open relationships is far and away the funniest film of the year so far. It’s also one of the year’s best.” —Dan Bayer, Next Best Picture “Truly hilarious.” —Deadline

PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre presents:

Companion

September 21, 7 pm

Thriller/Dark Comedy/Sci-Fi. 14A, violence, coarse language, scenes of domestic and sexual violence some may find triggering. Director: Drew Hancock, US, 2025, 97 min. Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Rupert Friend.

A discussion facilitated by a member of PEIRSAC’s clinical team will follow the show.

“A weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin turns into chaos after it’s revealed that one of the guests is not what they seem. Blending sci-fi and thriller elements, Companion is a shocking and at times funny exploration of the revenge film that encourages its audience to consider their relationship with technology and tech-facilitated sexual violence.”

The 2025 Ritual Mountain Bike Film Tour

September 22–23

Documentary. Rating PG, language. Dir: Various, US, 2025, 106 min.

A big-screen celebration of the indomitable human spirit that defines the sport of mountain biking with unforgettable film-going experiences. Highlighting incredible athletes, creative filmmakers, and engaging storylines the Ritual Mountain Bike Film Tour showcases stunning cinematography and riding films - from 20-minute stories to three-minute action clips.

Classic of the Month: New Waterford Girl

September 24–28

Comedy/Drama. 14A. Dir: Allan Moyle, Canada, 2000, 97 min. Liane Balaban, Tara Spencer-Nairn, Andrew McCarthy, Mary Walsh, Cathy Moriarty.

“A gem... Set on Cape Breton in the 1970s, the film centres on 15-year-old Mooney Pottie, a sharp-witted, sharp-tongued misfit who laments her limited prospects within the small, conservative coal-mining town. She wants out, but in her cramped Catholic community, there’s only one reason that young women leave - and it isn’t to pursue higher education, if you catch my drift. Mooney’s teacher sees her potential as an artist and helps her secure an arts scholarship at a Manhattan high school. Alas, Mom and Dad fancy this idea about as much as a Saturday night without the hockey game on the tube. Mooney is stuck. Her restlessness grows with the arrival in town of 16-year-old Lou and her mother, Midge, who have their (unusual) reasons for selecting New Waterford as a suitably low-key alternative to their former place of residence, the Bronx... New Waterford Girl is funny and wry and winningly simple, the sort of picture that so amazes with its authenticity - both in terms of the specific geographic region and of adolescence in general - and its excess of colourful, memorable characters.”

—Scott, Feschuk National Post

“A smart, incisive and enormously enjoyable film. Entertaining, polished and professional... With glee, it turns Canadian family cliches topsy-turvy... The film also captures the spirit and embodies the soul of Maritime Canada... This film is a treasure.” —Bruce Kirkland, The Toronto Sun

Craft Along Movie Matinee: Threading the Needle

September 27, 2 pm

Documentary. G. Dir: Louise Lalonde, Canada, 2022, 56 min. Playing with: Best Summer Camp Ever: Island Rock Camp (14 min) & Culinary Institute of Canada (12 min).

Filmmaker Louise Lalonde will introduce and take questions afterwards.

Bring your knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, or other handicrafts, plus your crafty friends for a cozy afternoon at the movies. Lights will be set so you can see the screen and your skeins! Threading the Needle’s

five episodes bring into focus a few of the many talented knitters, quilters, felters and hookers in PEI. Prepare yourself to fight the urge to head to a craft store and begin a journey into the world of needle arts as you discover these colourful, dedicated artists who live and breathe their craft. They are Troy Martin and Linda Stewart (For the Love of Knitting); Martha Deacon (Miniature Rugs and Eighteen Chairs); Janice Brydges and Sue Ann Jay (Braiding and Felting Never Felt so Right); Penelope Player (Crazy Quilting is not for Wimps) ; and Susan Lee Manning, Bettee Young and Shirley Hogan (A Hooker’s Work is Never Done). Non-crafters welcome too!. Two of Louise’s other shorts give a glimpse into two cool P.E.I. Summer Camps!

Eleanor the Great

September 29—October 5

Comedy/Drama. PG, mature themes, mild language. Dir: Scarlett Johansson, US, 2025, 98 min. June Squibb, Erin Kellyman. Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Cannes Festival nominee Un Certain Regard Award and Camera d’Or

“Raucous cheers and quite a few tears greeted the world premiere of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut at Cannes… The crowd warmly embraced the dramedy, which stars June Squibb as Eleanor Morgenstern, a fiercely independent Florida retiree who, after the sudden death of her lifelong best friend, relocates to New York to live with her daughter. A series of events leads her to a young woman suffering from the loss of her mother. The two bond over their shared grief and a desire to reconnect with their Jewish identity. But Eleanor has a secret that threatens to destroy the friendship they have built.” —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter “The jackpot combination of being tear-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny” —The Times, UK “Powerful and touching” —Deadline

Be sure to follow us on our social media pages for up-to-date reminders and updates to our schedule.

Email info@citycinema.ca to sign up for our newsletter and stay in the know with all the goings on!

An eve with Greg Mercer

Bookmark hosts book launch at UPEI—Sept 16

Bookmark is welcoming Globe and Mail reporter Greg Mercer to Charlottetown for the launch of his new book The Lobster Trap: The Global Fight for a Seafood on the Brink. The event will be held September 16 at 7 pm in the Schurman Market Square, inside Don & Marion MacDougall Hall at UPEI.

The Lobster Trap is a page-turning examination of how a multi-billion dollar industry creates enormous wealth and endless heartache, at a time when climate change, swings in the market, and greed are impacting fishermen’s livelihoods in new and dramatic ways.

THE BOG TOURS

Lobster has been a phenomenal success story, with a commercial fishery that has generated enormous wealth and fuelled appetites for one of the world’s most recognizable luxury foods. The great lobster boom that began in the 1990s has also led to violent fights over who has the right to catch this valuable seafood, including many Indigenous people in Canada, who until recently have been excluded from this industry. Now overfishing, trade wars, and climate change are threatening the future of this fishery in deeply troubling ways.

In this deeply reported, resonant, timely book, Mercer takes readers inside this precarious moment for the lobster industry, to show the money and heartache, and the danger and

AUTHORS

Edward McDonald book launch

The Geography of Home: Poems for a Lost Time, by Edward MacDonald will launch on September 7 at 2 pm in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building, Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. Published by Island Studies Press. The event is free, and all are welcome. Thanks to Bookmark, books will be available for purchase.

JoDee Samuelson book launch

Bookmark, Charlottetown’s independent bookstore, is partnering with the Confederation Centre Art Gallery to host An Evening with JoDee Samuelson on September 11 at 7 pm. The launch of

violence, tied up in it. Along the way, he explores lobster’s remarkable history, the gold-rush mentality that surrounds it, and examines the looming crisis for this most precious shellfish. Mercer is an investigative reporter for The Globe and Mail, where he writes in-depth stories about issues of international interest. He was previously The Globe’s Atlantic Canada reporter, and he has also reported for the BBC, The Guardian, and The Toronto Star His reporting has earned him multiple National Newspaper Awards and the Michener–Deacon Fellowship for Investigative Reporting.

JoDee’s graphic memoir Birth of a Hippie: A Graphic Memoir will include a moderated conversation with Deirdre Kessler, and a song or two. The event, which is free and open to all, will be held in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown.

Beach Day on the Island by Suzanne Scott

Families can join local author Suzanne Scott at the Charlottetown Library to celebrate her new book Beach Day on the Island on September 13 at 3 pm.

Charity Becker book launch

Charity Becker will launch her first poetry book, What I Will Remember: Poems, at The Gallery Coffee House and Bistro in Charlottetown on September 18 from 7–8:30 pm. Copies of the book will be available with $1 from the sale of each book going to the PEI Humane Society.

Greg Mercer

READERS/WRITERS

Story Makers

A weekly writing group for kids aged 6–12 takes place in the Children’s Room at the Charlottetown Library on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm. The group will have story prompts, challenges, and space to work on their own projects.

PEIWG Poetry Club

The Poetry Club meets at 10 am on the first Saturday of every month at bar1911 in Charlottetown. The next meeting is September 6. This club is for folks who love poetry and it has two goals: to discuss poetry written by other poets that members love, and to share and discuss one piece of original poetry, if a member feels like sharing. This program is for members of the PEI Writers’ Guild. To become a member, visit peiwritersguild. com/join.

Queer Poetry Club

The Queer Poetry Club meets on the first Saturday of each month from 2–4 pm at the PEI Transgender Network office. The next meeting is September 6. The club offers members of the queer community an opportunity to write, read, and listen to poetry in a supportive environment. Snacks and materials are provided, and no poetry experience is needed. Room 505, BDC Building, 119 Kent St, Charlottetown. Info: queerpoetryclub@ proton.me

Paws to Read

Kids aged 6–12 can read stories with therapy dogs, Evie and Arya, in the Children’s Room at the Charlottetown Library, on Mondays from 6–6:30 pm or 6:45-7:15 pm. Register for the sixweek session by calling the library at 902-368-4642.

Writers’ Social

The PEI Writers’ Guild (PEIWG) believes that one of the best things for a writer is to be around other writers. This free, drop-in gathering is for writers of all genres and backgrounds to connect with one another, share and build ideas, and help PEIWG further develop its writing community over a sip of tea or coffee. The Writers’ Social will take place at bar1911 in Charlottetown on the second Saturday of every month at 1 pm. The next meeting is September 13. Info: peiwritersguild.com

Afternoon Book Club

The Afternoon Book Club will meet at the Summerside Library on September 15 at 1 pm. Pick up this month’s book at the circulation desk.

Book Lovers Book Club

The Book Lovers Book Club will meet at the Charlottetown Library on September 16 at 6 pm for an informal, conversation-style gathering. Participants can chat about what they’re reading, share favourites, offer recommendations, and celebrate their love of books with fellow bibliophiles. No assigned reading, no pressure, and no registration required.

Writing Group

A creative writing group meets at bar1911 in Charlottetown on the third Saturday of every month at 10 am. The next meet-up is September 20. The group is for folks who are looking for a consistent community of writers to share their work and receive constructive feedback on their writing. Hosted by the PEI Writers’ Guild, the aim is to create a safe space for for local and like-minded writers to share, read, workshop, and develop their writing skills in a supportive environment. Info: peiwritersguild.com

Sirens Book Club

In partnership with the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre, the Charlottetown Library is hosting a book club as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week. Read The Sirens by Emilia Harte and drop in to the library on September 22 from 6–7:30 pm for a discussion, coffee, tea and snacks. Some book copies will be available at the welcome desk to borrow.

Truth & Reconciliation

Storytime

A family storytime about Truth and Reconciliation will be held on September 25 at 1 pm at the Summerside Library.

Writers’ Open Mic

The PEI Writers’ Guild hosts an open mic hosts an open mic on the fourth Thursday of every month at the Gallery Coffee House and Bistro at 7 pm. Each month, a crowd of writers, readers, and keen ears come together to experience a one-of-a-kind evening filled with nothing but support for the courageous folks who share their writing gifts. Email openmic@ peiwritersguild.com to sign up to read. 82 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Summerside Book Club

The Summerside Book Club meets for lively discussions of today’s most thought-provoking books. Pick up the latest selection at the circulation desk. The next meeting is September 27 at 2 pm at the Summerside Library (57 Central St).

Haiku poetry workshop

With accomplished members of Haiku Canada

A haiku poetry workshop will be held on September 13 at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown from 10 am–4 pm. Admission is free and snacks will be provided. Bring a brown bag lunch. Poets and readers at all levels are welcome (ages 16+).

There will be writing prompts for those who wish to try composing haiku and an opportunity to workshop haiku anonymously if you have a poem prepared. The final presentations will touch on short form poetry related to haiku: haibun and renga.

Instructors are members of Haiku Canada—Blanca Baquero (NS), Angela Leuck (QC), Carole Martignacco (NB), Mike Montreuil (ON), and Claudia Coutu Radmore (ON).

Blanca Baquero’s poetry and short stories have been published in Canada and in the United States. Her first book of haiku is Aussi loin que le vent (Les Éditions David, 2022). Baquero is co-editor of Porch to Porch: A Maritime Haiku Anthology, a member of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, League of Canadian Poets, Haiku Canada, and Haiku Society of America.

President of Haiku Canada, Angela Leuck has edited numerous haiku anthologies and published five of her own collections. She is founder of the Black Tea Haiku Group in Montreal, co-founder of the Quebec Writers’ Federation and Tanka Canada. Her work has been published internationally. Last Summer Pear (Yarrow Press, 2021) is her most recent book of haiku. Leuck is the publisher of Shoreline Press.

Carole Martignacco’s works include the origin myth, The Everything Seed, and a haiku collection entitled Teasing the Tides (Yarrow Press, 2023). She founded the Fundy Bay Writers at Sunbury Shores Art & Nature Centre in New Brunswick and is co-editor of

first chevron of geese the shape of things to come

Angela Leuck

Porch to Porch: A Maritime Haiku Anthology Her book of tanka, Inside the Bardo (Yarrow Press, 2025), has just been released.

Mike Montreuil’s haiku, tanka, and haibun have been published widely. He has served as haibun editor for A Hundred Gourds, co-editor of Cirrus: tankas de nos jours, and now edits Haiku Canada Review Two of his anthologies of haibun were shortlisted for The Haiku Foundation Touchstone Distinguished Book Awards. Montreuil is the publisher of Éditions des petits nuages. His latest release is But I Digress…Covid Lockdown Haibun and Tanka Prose (Catkin Press, 2022).

Claudia Coutu Radmore’s work has been published internationally, winning numerous honours. Past President of Haiku Canada, Radmore was editor of the Haiku Canada Anthology and the co-editor of Haiku Canada’s 40th year and 45th year anniversary anthologies. She has served on the editorial boards of The Bywords Journal and ARC Poetry Magazine. Her most recent books are Sweet Vinegars: Wildflower poems (Shoreline Press, 2024) and the heron still there, with Grant D. Savage, 500 tan renga poems linked (Éditions des petits nuages, 2024).

Register for the haiku poetry workshop by email to haikufox@gmail.com or show up at the Carriage House on September 13. This event is sponsored by Haiku Canada.

A Book Lovers Ball

Immersive fantasy fundraiser at Charlottetown Library

Enchanted—A Book Lovers Ball, an immersive fantasy fundraiser for the Charlottetown Library, will take place on October 4 from 7–10 pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre.

Monday Night Book Club

Monday, Sept 15th

Advertising: sales@buzzpei.com

Editorial: info@buzzpei.com

Monday Night Book Club meets at the Charlottetown Library, 97 Queen St, on September 29 at 6 pm. The group of likeminded book lovers select and read a new title each month. New members are always welcome.

Step into a world of magic, romance, and imagination for one night only. This immersive, fantasy-themed fundraiser is inspired by the viral TikTok Book Ball trend. Guests will dress in formal attire inspired by their favourite romantasy character or create their own unique bookish

persona. This night of dancing, creativity, and community is more than just a costume party—it is a celebration of the power of stories and the role libraries play in bringing people together. The after-hours library experience will feature a live DJ, a cash bar, a free photo booth, and a fantasy-themed vendor market with local creators. Visit cllcfoundation.ca for more information and to purchase tickets. All proceeds will support the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre Foundation. This is a 19+ event.

A gift of Island Poetry

NEAR LAUNCHING for Rody

Gorman

There’s a full moon and a white boat on the dark mirror of the bay. It would break your heart to leave this place, but it breaks your heart to stay.

Small secrets come and go on the pendulum of the tide and the long sweep of Panmure Light. But the bay’s mouth is wide

enough to swallow up a life and carry it far along beyond the reach of Panmure’s light though the tide’s pull is strong.

There’s a white boat and a full moon and a fire on the beach. And the child’s face in the firelight is mine, but it’s out of reach.

—Edward MacDonald

Edward MacDonald is an Island historian and a professor emeritus from the University of PEI. His latest book is The Geography of Hope: Poems for a Lost Time

Each month Bren Simmers selects a poem by an Island poet for The Buzz

Cavendish Literary Festival

New event launches in September

The inaugural Cavendish Literary Festival will take place from September 26–28, inviting readers, writers, and storytellers to connect, create, and be inspired in the very setting that sparked the imagination of author L.M. Montgomery.

Inspired by Montgomery’s legacy, the festival welcomes passionate readers, emerging writers, and established authors alike to connect and share their creative work. Surrounded by the natural beauty and charm of Cavendish, participants will have the opportunity to tap into their creativity, connect with fellow storytellers, and celebrate the transformative power of literature.

Over the three-day event, festival-goers can expect a thoughtfully curated lineup of activities designed for both readers and writers. Programming highlights include: creative writing workshops for every stage of the journey, from getting started to getting published; author panels and discussions featuring celebrated local and national voices; wellness activities

including yoga, guided nature walks, and breathing workshops; and social gatherings and networking events designed to spark meaningful conversation and creative connection.

Festival headliners include bestselling historical fiction author Donna Jones Alward (When the World Fell Silent) and acclaimed journalist, broadcaster, and novelist Linden MacIntyre (The Bishop’s Man), known for his award-winning work on The Fifth Estate. More announcements to come.

Events will take place throughout Cavendish’s picturesque countryside, with all festival venues less than 10 minutes apart, making it easy for guests to explore, connect, and enjoy the experience.

Whether attendees come to write, to listen, or simply to wander where imagination leads, the Cavendish Literary Festival invites them to celebrate the transformative power of literature.

Visit cavendishliteraryfestival.com for updates, festival passes, and more.

Author of eight bestselling novels, Miriam’s writing has received numerous honours –including the Governor General’s Award for Fiction, and the Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Award for Fiction Book of the Year.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025 AT

The Symons Medal recognizes individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to Canadian life. Presented annually by Confederation Centre of the Arts, the medal and its associated lecture offer a national platform for eminent Canadians to discuss the nation’s

PEI BOOKS

Birth of a Hippie: A Graphic Memoir

JoDee Samuelson

JoDee Samuelson’s Birth of a Hippie: A Graphic Memoir launches September 11. Bookmark, Charlottetown’s independent bookstore, is partnering with the Confederation Centre Art Gallery to present An Evening with JoDee Samuelson at 7 pm that evening. The free, public event will feature a moderated conversation with Deirdre Kessler and a song or two, held in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery. Birth of a Hippie is a heartfelt memoir that begins in the Prairies, as JoDee Samuelson, the youngest daughter of a Baptist minister, begins to search for her place in the world. Through her enchanting illustrations and witty storytelling, JoDee chronicles life on the Canadian prairies. Ultimately, JoDee’s journey takes her from Alberta to Prince Edward Island.

In telling her story, JoDee blends humour, heart, and introspection. Birth of a Hippie recounts JoDee’s coming of age story from Prairie girl to an independent spirit, back-to-the-lander, and health-food pioneer in a small Island on the East Coast. This graphic novel

explores themes of family, identity, and self-discovery, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of a woman finding her place in an ever-changing world. It is both a personal story and a universal exploration of roots, resilience, and belonging.

Samuelson, artist and filmmaker, has lived on PEI for over 50 years. Her animated films have been shown at festivals around the world. She writes a monthly column for The Buzz, and is the author of The Cove Journal: Life on the Island’s South Shore, published by UPEI’s Island Studies Press.

The Rainbow Dragon

Adalynn Shaw Bernard Illustrated by Junko Suzuki

Adalynn Shaw Bernard has published her debut storybook, The Rainbow Dragon

Adalynn is 11 years old and has autism. She has dreamed of becoming an author since before she could read. To help make her dream come true, Adalynn joined the Young Millionaires Program, which provides entrepreneurial skills through workshops and a $150 grant to set up a business. The program connected her with Island author and mentor Marlene Bryenton.

Dreaming big is Adalynn’s style. Her bio states: “Don’t let anyone tell you that a disability, physical or mental, can hold you back. Find your own way, believe in yourself, and go after your dreams.”

Adalynn loves dragons, so it seemed natural for her to write The Rainbow Dragon. In the story, a young girl befriends a dragon through a simple act of kindness, beginning an adventure that changes their lives forever. The book shows that it’s not what’s on the outside, but who you are on the inside that matters.

Marlene connected with illustrator Junko Suzuki of The Book Doula SelfPublishing. Junko listened carefully to Adalynn’s vision for The Rainbow Dragon and brought it to life with eighteen illustrations and a vibrant cover.

To order a copy of The Rainbow Dragon, contact Marlene at 902-892-8931.

The Geography of Home: Poems

for a

Lost Time

Edward MacDonald

In his new book, The Geography of Home: Poems for a Lost Time, Edward MacDonald traces the rural Prince Edward Island that he grew up in from

the late 1950s through the early 1970s, a landscape on the cusp of far-reaching change. Published by Island Studies Press, the book will launch on September 7 at 2 pm in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. The event is free, and all are welcome. In the introduction to the book MacDonald writes that “home is a place in the heart. It is part actual and part invented, part remembered and part reconstructed, part learned and part inherited.” He goes on to say the depiction of an era offered here is a mixed-media portrait, combining prose and poetry, history and memory. Each poem takes as its touchstone a place, person, or practice and is paired with a short reflection that unpacks facets of the culture being explored. Archival photos woven throughout add another layer to this portrait.

The book was published with the support of a SSHRC Exchange Publication Award from the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research at UPEI.

Dr. Edward MacDonald is a professor emeritus of history from UPEI. He is the author of If You’re Strong-hearted: Prince Edward Island in the Twentieth Century and co-author of The Summer Trade: A History of Tourism on Prince Edward Island and has written, compiled, or co-edited nine other books. In 2023-24 he was appointed to the Order of Canada and then the Order of PEI for his work as an Island historian and teacher.

What I Will Remember: Poems

Charity Becker

Charity Becker will launch her first poetry collection, What I Will Remember: Poems, on September 18. The launch will take place at The Gallery Coffee House and Bistro in Charlottetown from 7–8:30 pm.

What I Will Remember reflects on the joy of loving and the grief of losing an animal companion, through poems

about Charity and her partner Jason’s dog, Romero. The book is divided into three sections—Silly Puppy, Sweet Old Dog, and Sad Goodbye. At once heartwarming and heartbreaking, it will resonate with anyone who has loved and lost a pet.

Copies will be available for purchase at the launch, with $1 from each sale going to the PEI Humane Society.

The Top 2%:

Or How the 2023 Christmas Newsletter Got Out of Hand

Randy Burrows

PEI-based author, humourist, and actor Randy Burrows has just released his debut book, The Top 2%: Or How the 2023 Christmas Newsletter Got Out of Hand, published via FriesenPress.

“The book is a 200-page memoir of sorts, chronicling my family’s adventures in 2023. It offers a personal and humorous reflection on parenting during and immediately following the

GAMES

AFL Sundays at Village Green

Drop in to Village Green Brewery on Sundays at 4 pm for Aussie Rules Football (AFL). Catch the Sydney Swans and learn about the Atlantic AFL League. 30 Church St, Cornwall.

Charlottetown Scrabble Club

The Charlottetown Scrabble Club welcomes returning students. The Club meets every Tuesday from 5–8 pm at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Scoresheets, strategy tips, and cheat sheets are provided. All skill levels

pandemic, but it also serves as a time capsule for life on PEI at the time— with the Canada Games, Hurricane Fiona, and the inflation-spike crisis all getting coverage.”

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a PEI dad turns the annual Christmas newsletter into a 200-page memoir, the answer is The Top 2%

Burrows offers a first-person, family reflection on parenting teens with The Top 2% — a sly but heartfelt time capsule of life on PEI in 2023, during the early days of the post-COVID normal. He interlaces personal misadventure with Island life in a way that’s specific but also universal—and, according to his kids, completely lacking rizz. Through mortgage renewals, youth sport, and family trips, he writes with humility, passion, and a dry, articulate wit. No cap.

The Top 2% is available internationally from online vendors. It is also available via Apple’s eBook platform, with distribution to physical bookstores coming soon. For updates, follow The Burrows Bench Press on Facebook.

welcome, it is free to attend, and there are prizes and snacks.

Crokinole

Drop in to play a game of crokinole on September 10 and 24 at 2 pm at the Summerside Rotary Library.

Board Game Cafe

Bring family and friends to the Summerside Library on September 22 at 6:30 pm for an evening of board games. Bring a game or play one from the library’s collection.

Eptek scavenger hunt

Visitors of all ages are invited to test their skills at Eptek Art & Culture Centre’s scavenger hunts. Try to find all 20 images. 130 Heather Moyse Dr, Summerside.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Charlottetown Library Learning

Presented by:

COMMUNITY #1

Bridge course

Ray Malone will teach a six-week bridge course, Handling the Opponents, from 9:30 am–12 noon, October 23–November 27, at the Irish Cultural Centre (downstairs) in Charlottetown. This course is for intermediate players interested in improving their game. Topics include: identifying safe and dangerous opponents, hold-up play, avoiding the dangerous opponent, help from the opponent, and controlling what opponent is safe. For fees, details, and to register, email ray.teaches.bridge@gmail.com.

Trucks for Kids fundraiser

The City of Charlottetown has partnered with BGC Charlottetown (Boys & Girls Club) for the second annual Trucks for Kids fundraiser on September 27 at the Charlottetown Event Grounds, 360 Grafton St, from 1–4 pm. This popular event gives children and families a chance to explore large vehicles up close, including fire trucks, police cruisers, tractors, and more. Last year’s event drew over 1,500 attendees and featured more than 40 vehicles. Organizers expect an even bigger event this year. Proceeds will support local youth programs at BGC Charlottetown. Along with the vehicle lineup, the event will feature a BBQ, music, games, and other activities. Admission is by donation. Rain date is September 28. For sponsorship inquiries, email alyssa@bgcharlottetown.com.

Courtside Black Culture Bursary registration

Registration for the Courtside Black Culture Bursary opens September 8. Sponsored by Courtside Sneakers, the Courtside Black Culture Bursary awards $1000 each to three Black Prince Edward Island post-secondary students. Visit bcspei.ca for more information.

Accessibility and Inclusion Awards: nominations open

The City of Charlottetown and the Civic Board for Persons with Disabilities are now accepting nominations for

the annual Accessibility and Inclusion Awards. These awards recognize individuals, groups, or businesses that have made significant contributions to improving inclusion and accessibility for people living with disabilities in Charlottetown. Eligible nominees include non-profits, public groups or service clubs, educational institutions, hospitals, government departments, unions, professional and trade associations, media organizations, and public or private corporations located in the city. Previous award recipients are not eligible. Nominees must have gone above and beyond legal requirements to improve accessibility for people with developmental or mental illness, or with hearing, mobility, vision, speech, or agility disabilities. Contributions may relate to arts, culture, retail, education, employment, housing, recreation, transportation, or accessibility. Nominations, including self-nominations, should include evidence of the nominee’s commitments and contributions. Citizens or groups may also re-nominate candidates from previous years by submitting an updated form. Visit charlottetown.ca/ accessibilityawards to access the form. Nominations close December 31. Info: 902-566-5548

Imagine the Possibilities Project

PEI is home to an innovative social experiment called the Imagine the Possibilities Project. Created by an Island non-profit organization, the goal of the project is to find ways to get Islanders actively engaged in thinking, imagining, and talking about the future in positive ways. The Imagine Project is currently running an online “Tag it! campaign, encouraging Islanders to create social media posts that describe their dreams for the future, and to tag those posts with the hashtag #ImaginePEI2025. Response has been positive, with Islanders joining in by creating their own videos and posts. Get involved or follow along @ Imagine the Possibilities Project on FB and YouTube.

AA Secular 12-Step Group

The Alcoholics Anonymous Secular 12-Step Group meets every Thursday at 6:30 pm at the Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown. The group discusses excerpts from Beyond Belief: Agnostic Musings for 12 Step Life by Joe C, using science-based content to guide informal conversations about getting and staying sober. Books are provided. Meetings last one hour, and all are welcome.

Island workplace sexual harassment & resources

The PEI Human Rights Commission’s SHIFT Project is looking for input from Island workers on workplace sexual harassment with an online survey. The survey aims to see how Island workers feel about the resources that are currently available, but also to seek guidance on the types of resources they wish were available in PEI to help navigate the personal and professional consequences of workplace sexual harassment. This survey is a follow-up to the Island survey SHIFT completed in 2021. That survey’s findings (released in February 2022) showed that workplace sexual harassment was indeed happening in PEI, across a wide range of ages, in varied industries, and was a serious concern to many people. The survey, available in both French and English, can be found at makeityourbusinesspei.ca and on the SHIFT Project’s social media.

Volunteer firefighter recruitment

The Charlottetown Fire Department is recruiting volunteer firefighters for 2025. Residents over the age of 19 have the opportunity to make an impact in their community and join the tight-knit, dedicated team of firefighters responsible for fire safety and emergency preparedness in Charlottetown. All volunteer firefighters learn valuable skills that can be transferred to their professional and personal lives, and receive training, leadership development, insurance coverage, and annual honorariums. The City’s two fire stations include firefighters who perform various duties, including fire rescue, firefighting, operation and maintenance of vehicles and equipment, and assistance with fire prevention and educational

programs for the public. A free public information session will be held at Fire Station One on September 15 at 6 pm. Application packages can be picked up Monday–Friday at Charlottetown Fire Station One at 89 Kent St, or at Station Two at 152 St. Peters Rd between 10 am–2 pm on weekends. The deadline for completed applications is October 17. Info: visitcharlottetown.ca/volunteer fire_recruitment or 902-629-4083

Hilda Ramsay Bursary

The NDP PEI Women’s Committee will award the $500 Hilda Ramsay Bursary to a woman studying at UPEI or Holland College. The bursary is awarded annually to a female-identified student with a demonstrated commitment to social activism. Hilda Ramsay was the first woman to run for the provincial legislature. In 2019, the NDP PEI Women’s Committee established the bursary to encourage activist women on the Island. Funds for the 2024 bursary were raised at a June event featuring Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske as guest speaker. The application deadline is November 1.

PEI Autistic Adults—Peer Support Group

PEI Autistic Adults is an online and in-person peer-support group for autistic adults and seniors on PEI to talk about autism, share experiences of navigating PEI as autistic adults, and support each other. The website, peiautisticadults.com, has a public blog where members can share their views, a private discussion forum, private chat functionality, and links to their social media. PEI Autistic Adults was started by an autistic senior and currently has over 160 members ranging from students to seniors. Those who wish to participate in the meetings but who do not wish to interact online can email peiautisticadults@gmail.com. PEI Autistic Adults is not affiliated with any organization.

Mental health & chronic pain information session

Cathy Pavlic from the Canadian Mental Health Association will give a free talk about mental health and chronic pain at the Charlottetown Library on September 11 at 2 pm. All are welcome to attend.

Camp Abegweit golf fundraiser

Camp Abegweit is holding a golf tournament fundraiser at the Rustico Resort Golf & Tennis Club on September 20. All proceeds will go towards supporting Camp Abegweit. The registration fee includes food and a $50 tax receipt. Each team will also be provided with a shared power cart. Info: golf.campabegweit.ca

But First, Let’s Woo podcast

But First, Let’s Woo, an Island-based podcast by a couple of 40-something Islanders in their “woo-woo” era—think tarot cards in one hand and a coffee in the other—is available on most platforms. In this cozy podcast, woo-woo topics and practices are discussed from an amateur perspective. It is equal parts silly, informative, and fun. Upcoming episodes in September include “Using AI in your Tarot practice: Yay or nay?” and “Our ghost hunt at the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton.” Follow @ butfirstletswoo on IG, email info@butfirstletswoo.com, or visit butfirstletswoo. com for more information.

Island Trails is recruiting board members

Island Trails is seeking volunteers to serve on its next Board, which will be confirmed at the Annual General Meeting this fall. Prerequisites include enthusiasm and a keen interest in trails. The organization is especially interested in volunteers with skills in areas such as financial planning, accounting, organizational governance, strategizing, communications (including social media, publicity, writing, verbal, and advocacy), risk management, trail maintenance, leadership, and collaborative work toward common goals. Board meetings are held monthly in the early evening and may be virtual or hybrid. More information is available at islandtrails. ca. Those interested can contact the Executive Director at info@islandtrails.ca or 902-894-7535 to start a conversation— no obligation.

ADHD monthly meeting

A monthly discussion about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will take place at the Charlottetown Library on September 17 at 7 pm. This is a supportive space where peers can share personal experiences, seek advice on specific topics, or simply connect with others who understand the challenges of living with ADHD.

Around the World

Discover new places at the Charlottetown Library on September 18 at 2 pm by virtually travelling to different areas around the world in 60 minutes. Explore new landmarks and uncover hidden gems all without leaving the comfort of the library.

Seniors Cafés

Seniors Cafés take place at the Charlottetown and Summerside libraries. The next Seniors Café at the Summerside

Library is on September 12 at 11 am, where seniors can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and socialize. Each month features a guest speaker, games, or relevant discussions for seniors. The next Seniors Café at the Charlottetown Library is on September 18 at 1 pm. Marion Copleston will teach beginner watercolour painting, with all materials supplied. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be provided.

EAL Conversation circle

The Immigrant & Refugee Services Association of PEI offers EAL conversation circles for adults on Tuesdays at 6 pm at the Summerside Library, and on Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 10 am at the Charlottetown Library. Adults looking to practice their English skills are welcome to join for informal conversation. No registration required.

Seniors Navigator

The Seniors Navigator will be at the Charlottetown Library on September 3 and 17 from 9:30 am–3:30 pm for drop-in assistance. The program helps seniors more easily access services and programs offered by community organizations and all levels of government.

Seniors workshop

The Provincial Seniors Navigator program and Service Canada will hold a workshop at the Charlottetown Library, 97 Queen St, on September 25, for individuals 55 and older. Various government and non-government organizations will be present at the event. Workshops include presentations from Seniors Navigator at 10 am, Service Canada at 10:45 am, the CRA at 11:30 am, Wills and Power of Attorney at 1 pm, and Advance Care Planning with Hospice PEI at 2:45 pm. Attendees are welcome to arrive and leave at their convenience throughout the day.

Seniors Active Living Centre Open House

The Seniors Active Living Centre is hosting an Open House from September 15–19. Adults 50 and over are invited to see the social and learning activities the Centre has to offer and participate in all the activities for the week. The Centre is open Monday to Friday and is located in the Bell Aliant Centre, 560 University Ave, Charlottetown. Info: 902-628-8388

Sexual Assault Awareness Week

The Guild will be hosting a variety of shows and events in the Black Box Theatre in collaboration with the PEI Rape & Sexual Assault Centre for Sexual Assault Awareness Week, taking place September 18–24. Visit peirsac.org for the complete event schedule.

Legends of Hockey Tour

The Town of North Rustico welcomes the Legends of Hockey Tour to the Eliyahu Wellness Centre on September 26 at 7 pm. Ex-NHL players such as Rick Vaive, Ken Linseman, Guy Carbonneau, and

more will face off against a local team. Tickets can be purchased online at locarius.io or cash-only at the North Rustico Town Office or the Eliyahu Wellness Centre. Follow @Town of North Rustico or @Eliyahu Wellness Centre on FB for updates.

Joe Smallwood Recognition Awards nominations open

Nominations are open for the 2025 Joe Smallwood Recognition Award. Established in 2019 in memory of longtime horseman Joe Smallwood, the award recognizes individuals who have made a positive impact on the harness racing industry on PEI at the grassroots level. Previous recipients include Clarkie Smith, Ron Gass, the late Earl Smith, Ralph Annear, the late Lowell Stead, and the late Kent Oakes. Nominate a candidate by submitting a form online at peiharnessracing.ca or by mailing it to the PEI Harness Racing Industry Association, Suite 204A, 420 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 7Z5. The deadline for nominations is September 12. Submissions will be reviewed by an independent selection committee, and the recipient will be announced during Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend. Visit peiharnessracing.ca for more info.

Community and inclusion funding available

Applications are open for Island residents and community groups seeking

funding for projects that promote diversity and inclusion within the province. The Gender, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Community Enhancement Program (GEDI) provides annual grants for initiatives that encourage a greater sense of belonging and community engagement for marginalized groups in PEI. In 2025, more than 30 community organizations received support through GEDI to further promote diversity and inclusion across the Island. Since 2022, the province has invested over $2 million through the program, funding 81 projects. Funding streams for 2026 include open proposals, community events and celebrations, and gender-based violence prevention. Applications can be submitted by email to GEDI@gov.pe.ca until 11:59 pm on September 24. Info: princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/ workforce-advanced-learning-and-population/gender-equity-diversity-inclusion-community

PEI Community Schools

PEI Community Schools are offering a wide selection of hobby and interest classes once again this fall. Schools across the Island (O’Leary, Summerside, Kensington, Stratford, Donagh, and Vernon River) will host programs starting in September, running for 10 weeks. From hands-on crafts to new skills and community connections, there is something for everyone. Visit peicommunityschools.com for full details on class offerings and schedules. Follow @PEI Community Schools on FB for updates.

COMMUNITY #2

Upper Room Angels

The Upper Room Angels’ 37th annual fundraising campaign is now underway, with a goal of raising $75,000. The Angels is a non-denominational group that provides financial support to the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry’s (URHM) Food Bank and Soup Kitchen. The group raises most of its funds through an annual membership fee of $52—one dollar for each week of the year. Founded in 1989, the Upper Room Angels have raised over $2.7 million to help purchase food and supplies for its clients. To become an Upper Room Angel, mail a cheque or money order for $52 to: Angel Campaign, The Upper Room Angels, Upper Room Food Bank, 15 Plywood Place, Charlottetown, PE C1A 5H2. You can also donate online at rhm. org or send an e-transfer to urhm.pei@ outlook.com (specify “payment” in the comment box). Official tax receipts are provided. Info: Nancy at nancy.barrett@ pei.sympatico.ca

Personal budgeting session

A session on how to prepare a personal budget will be offered at the Summerside Library on September 16 at 6:30 pm. Bring along a hardcover notebook to assist in planning.

Independent review of PEI education authorities

The Minister of Education appointed the Honourable David H. Jenkins as Commissioner to review concerns related to the safety of students and the handling of complaints or incidents of sexual misconduct by school staff in the public education system. The Commissioner invites all interested members of the public and public organizations to make written submissions, which will be treated with discretion and be without attribution in the report. In preparation of the final report, the Commissioner will consider all relevant information received. Deadline for submissions is September 29 at 4 pm. Submissions can be made to the Independent Review administration office, emailed to educationactreview@ gov.pe.ca, or by calling 902-213-3480.

Breastfeeding information and support meeting

Pregnant individuals and new parents are invited to a breastfeeding information and support meeting on September 23 from 4:30–5:30 pm at Beaconsfield Carriage House, 2 Kent St, Charlottetown. Hosted by accredited leaders of La Leche League PEI, the session will cover topics such as preparing to breastfeed and managing challenges. All are welcome. Follow @lllc.pei on FB for updates. Info: 902-316-2167

Cleantech sector in PEI survey

The province is seeking input through a new survey to better understand the scope of the cleantech sector in PEI. The Cleantech Profile Survey will help government develop a sector profile and guide decisions and initiatives to support growth. Cleantech refers to any process, product, or service that reduces environmental impacts through significant energy efficiency improvements, sustainable resource use, or environmental protection activities. The survey will gather information on cleantech companies, businesses that have expanded into cleantech, the industries involved, and the size of the sector’s workforce. Participate in the Cleantech Profile Survey at gov.questionpro.ca/a/ takesurvey

Teen advisory group

Teens are welcome to join the teen advisory group on Mondays at 3:30 pm at the Summerside Library (57 Central St). Meetings start with an opportunity for teens to share their voices and opinions, followed by assisting staff with various tasks. Participation allows teens to earn volunteer hours toward the Community Service Bursary.

Acadian Heritage Month

Government has officially proclaimed the month of August as Acadian Heritage Month in PEI. Acadians have greatly contributed to the Island’s social, cultural

and economic fabric. The vitality, resilience and diversity of the Acadian community is recognized throughout August with activities across the province, in addition to National Acadian Day celebrated on August 15.

CFPEI annual report and new leadership

The Community Foundation of Prince Edward Island (CFPEI) has released its 2024 Annual Report, marking a record-breaking year of investment, partnerships, and impact. The report is available at cfpei.ca. In 2024, CFPEI granted over $2 million to charitable initiatives—the largest in its history. Highlights include programs supporting youth, mental health, and environmental sustainability, as well as partnerships addressing food security and housing. The report also introduces the 2025–2026 Board: President Alfred Arsenault, VicePresident Charlotte Jenkins, Treasurer Dennis Carver, Secretary Diane Griffin, Past President Jeff MacKenzie, and Directors Paul MacNeill, Maxine Rennie, Andrew Robinson, Laura-Lee Lewis, Bruce Howatt, Jill Ellis, and Matthew McKenna. CFPEI thanks outgoing member Jonathan Ross for more than a decade of dedicated service. Looking ahead, CFPEI is strengthening its commitment to strategic philanthropy through the Community Impact Fund, focused on long-term solutions in climate resilience, housing, and food access. The Foundation also launched new endowment funds and welcomed a new generation of Island philanthropists. Info: info@cfpei.ca

PEI Autistic Adults—Peer Support Group

PEI Autistic Adults is an online and in-person peer-support group for autistic adults and seniors on PEI to talk about autism, share experiences of navigating PEI as autistic adults, and support each other. The website, peiautisticadults.com, has a public blog where members can share their views, a private discussion forum, private chat functionality, and links to their social media. PEI Autistic Adults was started by an autistic senior and currently has over 160 members ranging from students to seniors. Those who wish to participate in the meetings but who do not wish to interact online

can email peiautisticadults@gmail.com. PEI Autistic Adults is not affiliated with any organization.

Island workplace sexual harassment & resources

The PEI Human Rights Commission’s SHIFT Project is looking for input from Island workers on workplace sexual harassment with an online survey. The survey aims to see how Island workers feel about the resources that are currently available, but also to seek guidance on the types of resources they wish were available in PEI to help navigate the personal and professional consequences of workplace sexual harassment. This survey is a follow-up to the Island survey SHIFT completed in 2021. That survey’s findings (released in February 2022) showed that workplace sexual harassment was indeed happening in PEI, across a wide range of ages, in varied industries, and was a serious concern to many people. The survey, available in both French and English, can be found at makeityourbusinesspei.ca and on the SHIFT Project’s social media.

Tech help

Tech help is offered at the Summerside Library on Thursdays at 3 pm. Call the library in advance at 902-436-7323 to register for a time to sit with someone one-on-one and have basic technology questions answered.

Strengthening PEI’s emergency preparedness

The Province of PEI, in partnership with the Government of Canada’s Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, is providing about $1.4 million through PEI’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) to strengthen emergency preparedness infrastructure and supplies across the Island. Funded initiatives include nine provincially designated emergency sites equipped with large-capacity generators, along with more than 50 shelter kit pallet boxes that have been distributed to municipal and community reception centres. Each shelter kit includes 25 cots, 25 polar fleece blankets, inflatable cot pillows, comprehensive first aid kits, an emergency weather alert radio, and personal hygiene kits. PEI EMO is working with municipalities, communities, and reception centres to deliver the kits and will continue to provide information on provincial supports. To find a designated reception centre, visit princeedwardisland.ca. Provincially designated emergency sites are provincial assets that can be activated in emergencies. Their use will be determined by PEI EMO based on need, including lodging for utility and first response crews, additional reception and welcome centres, or evacuation sites. The designated locations are Callaghan Intermediate School and Hernewood Intermediate School in Prince County; Central Queens Elementary School, Brookvale Alpine Site, Brookvale Nordic Site, and Vernon River Consolidated School in Queens County; and Morell Regional High School, Cardigan Consolidated School, and Souris Regional School in Kings County.

JoDee Samuelson

Full moon

The August full moon is called the “Sturgeon Moon” after a time when sturgeon fish were full-grown and ready to harvest in the Great Lakes. Indigenous people in our region named this moon the “Berry Ripening Moon” and I like that better.

The Sturgeon Moon/Berry Ripening Moon is thought to promote strength, endurance and spirituality and I’d like to tap into some of that. The high tides certainly reflect the moon’s power.

What a delicious summer it’s been. Plump strawberries and blueberries, best-ever Ontario peaches, raspberries busting with flavour... fresh fruit pies (fresh fruit laid a graham cracker crust and smothered in a jello-cornstarch glaze OMG)… also lobster rolls, fish ‘n’ chips, peas in the pod, crisp sweet French breakfast radishes.

All our visitors agree that food here tastes amazing. One family member even claims that her hair becomes more beautiful on the Island. Really? That would make an interesting pitch: “Come see what the Island can do for your hair!”

Although the Cove is close to perfect, we did embark on road trips to other almost-perfect places. In the middle of Cape Breton Island a five-minute cable ferry ride brought us to Englishtown and “Donelda’s Puffin Tours.” We loved St. Ann’s Bay and the excursion that gave us close-up views of razorbills, guillemots, cormorants, and Atlantic puffins… who nest in underground burrows, hold multiple small fish in their serrated beaks, flap their wings 300 times a minute, and fly up to 88 km/hr. Are puffins cute? They probably don’t think so; they’re fierce survivors.

Another outing took us to Double Hill Cidery in Caledonia where we sipped

delicious sparkling ciders under a huge white tent on the crest of a hill overlooking one of the most beautiful landscapes on PEI.

Then we almost rented e-bikes in Georgetown to take a speedy ride down Confederation Trail, but it was too hot out.

And what about Montague Days… how many volunteers does it take to pull off a festival like this? Parade, live music, vendors galore, a buzzing waterfront. Here in the Cove we think we’re pretty great when we organize a Strawberry Social—and we are!—and our Social was amazing!—but it didn’t last two days.

I should mention a trip of a different sort: a Trip down Memory Lane as illustrated in my new graphic memoir Birth of a Hippie. My book launch is coming up and am I nervous? Of course! It’s all about me! I’d better go swimming and forget about it.

How can anyone be anxious at the Cove? Best water ever. Warm, clear, welcoming. When I see attentive parents and delighted children laughing and playing down at the shore—and picking up after themselves!—my hope in humanity is revived.

But these lazy hazy crazy days of summer are much too hazy. The Berry Ripening moon is not supposed to be red. There are forest fires north of Moncton, outside of St. John, in the Miramichi…

But speaking of berries, I’d better scoot over to Tryon to pick some blueberries. Ahh, blueberries on my granola, on my ice cream, fresh blueberry pie… Yum.

JoDee’s book launch will be at the Confed Centre Art Gallery on September 11 at 7 pm. See page A23 of The Buzz for details.

The Cove Journal by

NATURE

Neil Bennett Autumn Birding Classic

Family land donation

Chief Jack Sark Memorial Natural Area established Coastal Forest Walk

The public is invited to join a guided nature walk hosted by the PEI Woodlot Owners Association at the Island Nature Trust’s Perret-Mackinnon property on September 13 from 10 am–12 pm. Led by Dan McRae, ecologist and naturalist with the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project, the walk will explore coastal forests, their vital role in protecting shorelines, and practical ways woodlot owners can support healthy ecosystems. This event is funded by the PEI Forested Landscape Priority Place for Species at Risk. Register at peiwoodlotowners@ gmail.com. Directions will be provided upon registration. Info: peiwoa.ca, macphailhomestead.ca

iNaturalist Picnic

Nature PEI is hosting an iNaturalist Picnic at Strathgartney Provincial Park on September 13 from 10 am–2 pm. iNaturalist is a citizen science app where people upload photos of wildlife to document biodiversity. It forms a community of naturalists, amateur and professional. People are encouraged to have iNaturalist downloaded on their phones (inaturalist.ca). This social event is an opportunity for meeting other naturalists and learning from them, and will feature nature walks around the trails of the Park. People are encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic lunch, and Nature PEI will provide some light refreshments. The event is free and open to all ages. Registration is requested at chris@ naturepei.ca. Info: naturepei.ca or follow @Nature PEI on FB.

PEI Untamed with Kate MacQuarrie

Learn, explore, and reconnect with nature at PEI Untamed with Kate MacQuarrie. Upcoming sessions include: Intro to Edible Plants Talk in Milton on September 15; Forest Ecology Walk in New Glasgow on September 20; Species and Spaces of PEI Talk in Charlottetown on September 23; Intro to Fungi Talk in Milton on September 29; Wildlife Tracks & Sign Talk in Milton on October 6; and Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk in Bonshaw on October 11. For registration details, and new original content each week, visit pei-untamed.com.

Island Nature Trust AGM

The Island Nature Trust will hold its Annual General Meeting in the Rotary Auditorium of the Charlottetown Library on September 23 from 6–8 pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Members and supporters alike will have an informative and inspiring evening. The event will reflect on the year’s accomplishments and look ahead to future exciting milestones in conservation. Kate MacQuarrie, renowned biologist, author, and former Executive Director of INT, will be the special guest speaker. Email admin@ islandnaturetrust.ca to submit questions for the meeting.

This fall, Island Nature Trust (INT) and Nature PEI will hold the 31st annual Neil Bennett Autumn Birding Classic on September 27 (rain date: September 28). This important citizen science event and fundraiser will see teams gather pledges and head out in the early morning to find as many bird species as possible in a 24-hour period. Species observed during autumn migration are documented, and results are published in the Island Naturalist to help researchers track changes over decades on PEI. All funds raised will support INT’s conservation efforts on the Island. To help meet science and fundraising goals, supporters can pledge to a participating individual or team, or form a team—whether a backyard bird count group or a field team—and collect pledges in support of natural areas conservation. Those who don’t know a team but still wish to contribute are encouraged to donate to INT in honour of the Classic. To register or donate, visit: islandnaturetrust.ca/ bennett_birding. For more information, email admin@islandnaturetrust.ca or call 902-892-7513.

Festival of Forests

Festival of Forests at Macphail Woods will be held on September 27 from 11 am–4 pm. This family-friendly community event is intended to educate the public about ecological restoration and conservation while allowing people to develop and strengthen their connection to nature. There will be various workshops offered throughout the day and plenty of fun activities for kids.

Protecting birds on campus

Minhye Lee, a third-year student at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of PEI (UPEI), is taking action to help protect birds on campus through a new initiative focused on evaluating bird-window collisions. Lee’s research project aims to identify collision hotspots at UPEI and work toward solutions that make the campus safer for birds. The community can help by reporting collisions. If members of the campus community see a bird that has struck a window, they are asked to take a photo and send it—along with the location details—to @ birdsafe.upei on Instagram. Lee will use these reports to evaluate problem areas and explore potential preventative measures. While the project is launching on campus, Lee hopes to expand it to other areas on the Island where bird-window collisions are common. She hopes her research will contribute to future conservation efforts that could save countless birds, particularly during peak migration seasons. Follow @birdsafe.upei on IG to learn more and get involved.

Up West Forest Fest

Celebrate Up West Forest Fest on October 3–4 and join environmental groups from across PEI in Prince County at various locations to explore and honour western PEI’s unique forest ecosystems. There will be children’s activities, guided nature walks, film screenings, and more.

An ecologically important property near Lennox Island First Nation has been donated for conservation by Marilyn and Darcy Sark, of Lennox Island, Epekwitk.

The 333-acre property includes four kilometres of forested coastline with rocky beaches, saltmarsh, and glacial erratics. The coastal forest is uniquely dominated by white ash and white spruce. Jack pine, a provincially-rare tree, is common throughout the property. This variety of ecosystems supports extensive wildlife habitat, including for federally at-risk species: Canada warbler and Eastern wood-peewee.

Island Nature Trust and L’nuey

Island Lecture Series

Dr. Doug Sobey on PEI forest composition in the mid-1800s

The Island Lecture Series presents an illustrated talk by Dr. Doug Sobey on the historical forest composition of PEI in the mid-1800s. The talk is based on the survey-books of Alexander Anderson (1795-1884), government surveyor for Prince County from the 1830s to the 1870s. The talk will be held in Charlottetown on September 16, 2025, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, UPEI.

are pleased to have collaborated on facilitating and accepting the donation of this significant property.

The property will be known as the Chief Jack Sark Memorial Natural Area, in memory of the former Lennox Island First Nation Chief, the late husband of Marilyn Sark, and father of Darcy.

“We are proud to be donating this property in Jack’s memory, as he had a great respect for the conservation of nature and the environment,” say Marilyn and Darcy Sark. “He would be pleased, as it was his wish to eventually donate the property for conservation.”

The donation was made possible through Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program.

Because many of Anderson’s survey lines—especially his road lines and township boundary lines—ran over land that had not yet been cleared of forest, his more than 2700 forest descriptions collectively constitute a valuable body of information on the composition of the pre-settlement forests, especially in the area west of Summerside. Sobey’s analysis of the survey-books resulted in the identification of eighteen distinct pre-settlement forest-types, most of which no longer occur in the region. Sobey will reveal how the forest that Anderson encountered bears no comparison to the remnant degraded woodland of today. Doug Sobey has taught at various institutions in Northern Ireland for thirty years, including the University of Ulster. Eleven of his monographs on the present and historical forests of the Island have been published by the Island government, along with historical papers in The Island Magazine. He co-authored a book on Samuel Holland’s 1765 survey and map of Prince Edward Island, and he contributed a chapter on the Island’s forest history to Time and a Place – An Environmental History of Prince Edward Island

The lecture is free, and all are welcome to attend.

Coastline of the Sark family land donation

SUBMITTED

Doug Sobey

The Nature of PEI by

Gary Schneider

The Wabanaki

Some of you might know that I jointly ran a bookstore in Montague for ten years. The store was misnamed “Idle Hands”—there wasn’t much idleness during that decade. But it reflected my love of books and introduced me to a lot of friends who were also booklovers.

I still have a great fondness for quality books of any kind, but especially ones that help people understand and relate to nature. Recently, I received a copy of The Wabanaki Forest: Connecting with and Appreciating the Forests of the Maritimes and it has been a constant companion over the past week.

The authors have a long history with nature in the region. Soren Bondrup-Nielsen is a Professor Emeritus of Biology at Acadia University, while Riley Scanlan brings their knowledge of and care for forests as a biologist to this work. I had read some of Soren’s previous books but only met him a few years ago. He told me he was writing a book on native forests and I was looking forward to reading it.

I was not disappointed and have added it to my collection of forestry books that are both useful and entertaining—a great combination.

For many years, Soren has been a leading light in the conservation of native forests, educating the public on a variety of issues and being a strong voice for sound forestry practices.

The book contains observations on the state of the Wabanaki Forest. I suspect that both authors wish that they had better news, given how most forests are being treated across the region. But there is still a lot of hope and wonder within the book, giving readers the opportunity to be inspired.

One part of the book that I particularly enjoyed was the focus on understanding and not just identifying. For example, the section on the history of the Wabanaki forest is critical to understanding how we got to our present conditions. If we are to move forward on forest restoration, we need to understand where we came from.

The section entitled “How We See Forests” should be required reading for anyone interested in forests, whether a landowner, a contractor, a provincial

forester, or a budding naturalist. We often talk about using science to make decisions. But Soren writes: “The modern world view relies heavily on science’s systematic approach to understand humans, and tends to be unemotional in nature. But tackling the problems facing society today, politically and environmentally, may require a good dose of emotion and other ways of knowing.”

Readers might have crossed paths with some of the contributors to the Wabanaki Forest. Jamie Simpson, a forester and lawyer with several popular books including Restoring the Acadian Forest and Eating Wild in Eastern Canada, writes on his experiences with his own woodlot.

Donna Crossland retired as a biologist with Parks Canada and has been a tireless advocate for sustainable forest practices. Her section on the problems with clearcut forestry details the negative impacts of our most common method of harvesting—that it exacerbates the climate crisis, destroys forest soil carbon, and depletes soil nutrients.

Soren was even kind enough to include a section on “Planting Seeds for Biodiversity,” which I wrote based on my experience with Macphail Woods.

The photos are first rate throughout the book and add a lot to the text.

The authors are generously donating their profits from the book sales to the efforts of the Blomidon Naturalists Society, one of the many great conservation organizations in Nova Scotia.

The book is available at Bookmark in Charlottetown.

New life to Queen’s Wharf

Enhancements create a waterfront destination

Discover Charlottetown, in partnership with the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC), unveiled a vibrant new placemaking project at Queen’s Wharf this summer.

This initiative brings nearly 50 colourful chairs, planters, and pergolas to the Charlottetown waterfront, adding comfort, beauty, and personality to the area.

setting that will inspire social sharing and pride of place.

Queen’s Wharf is part of the designated waterfront walk. A number of years ago, Downtown Charlottetown Inc. began the Big Red Number tradition and added red chairs and the love locks. This new addition builds on that momentum and creates a photogenic

TOURS

Basin Head Fisheries Museum interactive tour

The Basin Head Fisheries Museum is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Basin Head Marine Protected Area with a brand new interactive tour available Monday to Friday at 11 am. The one-hour tour provides an immersive experience where visitors will learn about the Marine Protected Area and local history that connects it to the province’s human and natural heritage. Participants will also get to experience the singing sands beneath their feet, try ice cream made with carrageenan from Irish Moss, similar to the moss that grows in the Basin Head lagoon, and take part in the conservation effort by pulling a Green Crab trap and documenting the contents. Admission to the Basin Head Fisheries Museum includes the tour. Info: peimuseum.ca/visit/ basin-head-fisheries-museum

The Bog Tours

Step into the historic Charlottetown neighbourhood once home to many Black Islanders. Discover the lives, legacies, and resilience of the Black community that shaped this often-overlooked part of the city. This unique walking tour offers a meaningful and memorable way to connect with local history. The Bog Tours run from September 1 to October 25. School groups are invited to book free tours Monday through Thursday. Other groups, with up to 25 participants, may take part free of charge on Fridays and Saturdays. All groups must book in advance by emailing peiblackhistorytour@gmail.com. Individuals are welcome to book ahead or drop in. Admission is by suggested donation or pay-what-you-can. Tours are offered daily at 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm, beginning and ending at Beaconsfield Historic House, 2 Kent

CADC played a key role in bringing this vision to life, helping to transform an underused space into a welcoming waterfront destination.

The furniture will remain in place year-round, inviting people to connect with the waterfront in every season.

Street, Charlottetown. This program is funded by the PEI Government AntiRacism Grant in partnership with the Black Cultural Society of PEI.

Past-Port Summerside

Founded this year, Past-Port Summerside is the city’s only dedicated historical walking tour, offering visitors and locals a chance to step back in time and explore the city’s rich heritage. Highlights include the history of iconic buildings like Town Hall and the Holman Homestead, as well as the broader story of Summerside itself. Owner and guide Brendan Ronahan brings a passion for storytelling and deep knowledge of local history, inspired by his work with the Summerside Historical Society in 2015 and 2016. Tours run Tuesday–Saturday at 10 am, 3 pm, and 6 pm, starting at the Lefurgey Cultural Centre, 205 Prince St, Summerside. To book a tour, visit past-portsummerside.ca.

Historic guided walking tours

Confederation Centre of the Arts offers historic walking tours of downtown Charlottetown. From the Island’s first inhabitants to Confederation and beyond, these tours offer a blend of Canadian history, cultural landmarks, intriguing facts, and architectural gems. The tours are led by the Heritage Players, a troupe of enthusiastic guides in period costume who bring history to life. Three tours are on offer. Inside Island History, available until October 30, is a cabaret-style presentation sharing fascinating Island stories. The Historic Great George Tour, available until November 1, explores PEI’s role in shaping Canadian history. The Ghost Tour, available until November 8, is led by a mysterious gravedigger, is full of spooky tales from Charlottetown’s haunted past. Each tour is approximately 75 minutes. For the full schedule and to book tickets, visit confederationcentre.com or call 1-800-565-0278.

Ashleigh Tremere

A gourdeous day

Every year, once this event has passed, I inevitably run into at least a handful of people who say “Oh, I meant to go to that!” Well here is a heads up reminder for the 32nd annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off.

I’ve been in attendance at these events for some time now. They were held for twenty-some-odd years at Vessey’s Seeds in York, which is right down the road from us. To my great amusement, the first year my husband decided to attempt growing a big old gourd, the event moved to Kool Breeze Farms in Summerside. Probably not personal, but definitely ironic.

Independent Review of the Education Authorities

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

The Minister of Education appointed the Honourable David H. Jenkins as Commissioner to review concerns related to the safety of students and the handling of complaints or incidents of sexual misconduct by school staff in the public education system.

The Commissioner invites all interested members of the public and public organizations to make written submissions, which will be treated with discretion and be without attribution in the report. In preparation of the final report, the Commissioner will consider all relevant information received.

Submissions may be made in type and paper or in electronic form, until September 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

Growers from across the Island load up their trailers, hauling pumpkins and squash weighing hundreds to over a thousand pounds to set them on the scales and see who grew the biggest each season. They’re something to see for sure. Different colours, weird shapes and the variety of folks who take on this giant hobby are always interesting to me. The kids love it too.

The event is completely free to attend and so are all the activities involved. They have wagon rides, those bouncy animals to ride around on, huge structures built out of bales of hay for folks to climb over, and a corn maze I don’t dare enter. I once was stranded in a corn maze with three of my children, while pregnant with the fourth on an exceedingly hot Autumn day. That maze was pretty small too, so the hesitation lingers. Of course, there are also all the attractions that would normally draw someone to Kool Breeze: plants, garden decor, and ice cream.

The whole thing is classic agricultural Island Fall with an upbeat twist of a DJ

entertaining you in between pumpkin swaps. That particular element is a new addition which I thoroughly enjoyed last year. It was pouring rain so the couple hundred folks in attendance were neatly tucked into one of the greenhouses and the music really kept the dreary of the day away. The pouring rain also didn’t deter the majority of children from being engaged in all the activities available. Rainy days deserve ice cream too, right?

I suppose I should disclose my family’s current status of gourd glory. I mean, not to brag, but last year my husband won in the pumpkin and squash category. I know, I’m a lucky woman, the accolades by association are endless.

I nearly forgot to mention the pie-eating contest! Which I always wish I could enter, but gluten thwarts me every time. I would annihilate those children, I love blueberries. If you’d like to do the honour for me, that would be stellar. You need to sign up early though, a limited number of pies and seats are available.

October 11th, Thanksgiving weekend is the date for this year’s weigh off. So mark your calendar if you happen to be one of the folks who’ve always thought they should go. You won’t be disappointed.

For full information about the Education Act Appointment, purpose and responsibilities, and the protocol for public submissions, or to make submissions, please contact the Independent Review administration office:

ATTN: Education Act Review educationactreview@gov.pe.ca • 902 213 3480 PO Box 1176, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4K9

Appointed pursuant to the Education Act to review concerns regarding the safety of students and the handling of complaints and incidents of sexual misconduct by school staff.

Sommo Culinary Stage

Festival in September features top chefs

Sommo Festival will celebrate music, food, and drink in Cavendish on September 13 and 14. Along with it’s music lineup, headlined by Alanis Morissette and Hozier, organizers announced the Culinary Stage lineup earlier this spring.

Hosting the Culinary Stage for the first time is renowned Chef Michael Smith, best-selling cookbook author, Food Network Host, and the proprietor of PEI’s The Inn at Bay Fortune and its restaurant FireWorks. Joining Smith on Saturday will be New York Times bestselling author and TikTok sensation Old Time Hawkey, making a return to the stage after a crowd-pleasing cooking demonstration with Noah Kahan and Madison Tevlin last year. New this year, guests will have the opportunity to taste culinary creations by Old Time Hawkey at the Taste of Sommo area.

WALK/RUN

Cornwall Run Club

The Cornwall Run Club hosts a social run every Wednesday at 6 pm, covering approximately 5 km. Runners of all skill levels are welcome. The run starts and ends at Village Green Brewery (30 Church St, Cornwall). Follow @ CornwallRunClub on FB.

45th Marathon of Hope

The Terry Fox Foundation and Confederation Bridge present the Terry Fox Run on the Confederation Bridge on September 21, marking the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. For this occasion, the bridge will be exceptionally open to runners and walkers. Registration is open and free of charge; however, advance registration is required, as no on-site registration will be available. Participants are welcome

Also featured are best-selling vegan cookbook author and Hot For Food founder Chef Lauren Toyota, Halifax’s Barrington Steakhouse headchef Kyle Campbell, and a cocktail experience curated by The Brickhouse Kitchen + Bar’s Emily Duggan.

Gastronomy lovers are in for a treat on Sunday as Chef Michael Smith returns, pulling double-duty as both host and featured chef. Joining him is bestselling debut cookbook author and regular guest on CTV’s The Good Stuff, Andrea Buckett, along with Chef Guy Pratt, co-owner of Nova Scotia’s Asian Gastropub Studio East Asian Gastropub. Completing the experience, is Halifax bartender Shane Beehan who will be shaking up some of the East Coast’s favourite recipes.

Visit sommofest.com for the full lineup, tickets, and more information.

to walk or run, and parking will be provided on both sides of the bridge. To learn more, volunteer, create a team, or register to participate and fundraise, visit terryfox.org/confederationbridge.

Hope Walk for Pulmonary Fibrosis

The Charlottetown Walk for Pulmonary Fibrosis begins at Kiwanis Field at Victoria Park, Charlottetown, on October 4. Check-in opens at 10 am, with the walk beginning at 11 am. This family-friendly event is designed to raise awareness and funds for Canadians living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a progressive and currently incurable lung disease. The day includes lunch and entertainment, community booths, sponsor recognition, and an opportunity to connect with others affected by PF. Funds raised will support the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Info: p2p.onecause.com/cpffwalks/event/ charlottetown-walk-for-pf

ISSUE# 381 • SEPTEMBER 2025

buzzpei.com @buzzpei

Editor: Yanik Richards

Editor: Michelle Ollerhead Website: Nakeesa Aghdasy

Partners: Maggie Lillo (Ruby Square Graphic Design), Carly Martin (Hawthorne House Media)

Contributors: Julie Bull, Dennis Ellsworth, Edward MacDonald, Judy Max Smith, Sean McQuaid, Takako Morita, Bridget Patterson, Tara Reeves, JoDee Samuelson, Gary Schneider, Bren Simmers, Ashleigh Tremere

Office: 160 Richmond Street, Charlottetown

Mail: P.O. Box 1945, Charlottetown, PE C1A7N5

Phone: 902-628-1958

E-mail: info@buzzpei.com

Social Media: @buzzpei

The Buzz is published monthly by Little Kit Bag Inc.

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff. Compensation for errors in advertising copy which are the proven responsibility of the publisher is limited to a maximum of the cost of the placement of the advertisement.

Little Kit Bag Inc., operating as The Buzz, acknowledges that we are located on and operate on Mi’kma’ki, the traditional unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people who have lived here for many thousands of years, and who continue to live here.

COVER: Mellow Yellow, oil on canvas, 24”x36” by Judy Max.

Judy Max Smith was born on Prince Edward Island and has returned to her roots after many years in British Columbia and New England.

An accomplished artist, Smith’s passion and skill are evident in her paintings. She has been recognized for her work with structure and light. She has won awards for her studio and plein air paintings and is a juried member of The Russell Gallery at the Plymouth Center for the Arts.

Judy’s art can be seen yearround at the Ellen’s Creek Gallery in Charlottetown, at Avonlea Gallery in Cavendish in the summer, or on Instagram @ judymaxart. judymaxart.com

SALES

Gifts from the Heart

Gifts from the Heart holds a public thrift sale from 10 am–3 pm on the last Saturday of each month. Proceeds support operating costs. Led by Betty Begg-Brooks and volunteers, the organization provides free food, clothing, furniture, and housewares to low-income families and those facing temporary hardship across PEI. 10 Maple Hills Ave, Charlottetown. giftsfromtheheartinc.com

Church Mouse Thrift Shop

The Church Mouse Thrift Shop (391 Nelson St, Crapaud) holds a sale every Saturday from 9 am–2 pm until the end of October. Each week features new items, including rotating selections of adult and children’s clothing, books, housewares, bedding, small furniture, collectibles, and more. Proceeds go to St. John the Evangelist Church in Crapaud. Info: 902658-2995; @stjohnsanglicanchurch on FB

Arts & Crafts Supply Market

A new and used Arts & Crafts Supply Market takes place at Malcolm Darrach Community Centre, 1 Avonlea Dr, in Charlottetown on September 27 from 10 am–1 pm. In lieu of admission, donations of non-perishables and toiletries for the Charlottetown Food Bank can be made, with the exception of Mr. Noodles. Interested vendors should register at islandwidemarkets.wixsite.com.

Fall Crafted & Curated Market

The Fall Crafted & Curated Market will be held at Beaconsfield Carriage House in Charlottetown on September 28 from 10 am–4 pm. Attendees can browse a curated collection of vintage treasures— from timeless and pre-loved fashion to antiques, housewares, distinctive pottery, delectable treats, and more—all thoughtfully presented by local vendors. Whether visitors are passionate collectors or simply love stumbling upon that perfect, one-of-a-kind find, the market is brimming with inspiration and charm for everyone. Admission is free.

Prince County Hospital

Auxiliary Fall Clothing Sale

A gently-used clothing sale in support of the Prince County Hospital (PCH) will be held at the County Fair Mall in Summerside on October 9 and 10 from 10 am–6 pm, and on October 11 from 10 am–3 pm. All proceeds raised go directly to the PCH to purchase new equipment, update existing equipment, and support patient services. This year’s sale has a larger space, more clothing racks, and is well organized. Clothing donations, as well as shoes, boots, jewelry, and purses, are still being accepted. Call Ann Leard at 902-436-0894 to arrange a drop-off location and time, or call Vicki Perry 902-436-3095 to request a pickup (in the Summerside area). The sale is cash only. There is an ATM in the mall. Follow @ Prince County Hospital Auxiliary on FB for updates.

Dear Blossom, Punk Rock Jamboree, Beaconsfield Carriage House (photos: Bridget Patterson)

Ch’town Busker Festival

Free family entertainment in Charlottetown—Aug 29 to 31

The Charlottetown Busker Festival debuts August 29–31, bringing some of the world’s best buskers to downtown Charlottetown for a free, family-friendly celebration of international street performance and local artistry. The festival is set to take place on Victoria Row, Founders’ Food Hall & Market, and Peake’s Quay.

Produced by Capital City Events in collaboration with Kobblestone Productions, a Canadian non-profit led by seasoned buskers and artists, and supported by Discover Charlottetown, the festival emphasizes artist excellence and community impact. Attendees can expect show-stopping acts from performers

THE STAMPEDERS

THEATRE

Island Fringe Festival

The 2025 edition of the Island Fringe Festival will take place October 8–12.

This year’s lineup features ten diverse productions—five from PEI, three from across Canada, and two from the United States. Audiences can expect an eclectic mix of styles and genres, including dance, drama, comedy, and puppetry. Follow the Island Fringe Festival at islandfringe.com and on social media @ islandfringe for the latest updates, show schedules, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and a few fun surprises.

The Beaconsfield Séance

This October, commune with the spirits at The Beaconsfield Séance at Beaconsfield Historic House in Charlottetown. This theatrical reenactment gives visitors the unique opportunity to observe first-hand the techniques

such as Flow Berger (Austria), Seb & Fritzzz (Germany), Derek Derek (Australia), and Kate Ryan (Alberta), among others.

The Grand Opening Stunt at Peake’s Quay, featuring escape artist Rob Roy Collins (UK), kicks things off Friday at 6 pm, followed by street shows until 9:45 pm. On Saturday, street shows run 11 am–9:45 pm, concluding with the Fire Spectacular at 9 pm in partnership with Art in the Open and Cinema Under the Stars in Victoria Park. The festival wraps up Sunday with street shows from 11 am–9:45 pm, finishing with the ticketed 19+ Busk After Dusk show hosted by the Monsters of Schlock (venue TBA).

employed at Victorian séances. Tickets sell quickly. Details and more at peimuseum.ca.

Tracadie Players Dinner Theatre

The Tracadie Players present their Fall Dinner Theatre on October 25 and 26 at the Tracadie Community Centre. The evening includes a home-cooked meal, dessert, and entertainment by the Tracadie Community Players. Tickets go on sale September 1. Check for available seating at tracadiecc.com. For bookings, email tracadieplayers@gmail.com.

Feast Dinner Theatres

Good old Island boys, big city trouble, and one unforgettable Christmas Eve. Feast Dinner Theatres presents Fairytale of New York, running November 20–December 20 on select dates at the Rodd Charlottetown and Brothers 2 in Summerside. Tickets are available at feastdinnertheatres.com. For group bookings of 20 or more, call 902-436-7674 or email info@feastdinnertheatres.com.

Flow Berger (left) and Kate Ryan

The Waltz

Romantic comedy at Watermark Theatre in October

There is something about a prairie sky at dusk that feels endless—full of possibility, memory, and maybe even a little romance. That is the backdrop for The Waltz, Marie Beath Badian’s tender, funny play coming to North Rustico’s Watermark Theatre October 14–18.

The story begins with Romeo Alvarez, played by Anthony Perpuse, on a cross-country trek from Ontario to British Columbia for university. He makes an unplanned stop in rural Saskatchewan to visit some of his mother’s old friends. He ends up at the doorstep of a remote cabin where Beatrice Klassen, played by Kryslyne-Mai Ancheta, greets him with suspicion and curiosity. Over the course of one summer evening, with a boombox, a shared history they did not know they had, and that breathtaking Saskatchewan sky, they talk, tease, and slowly move toward understanding.

Dora Award–nominated actor Anthony Perpuse is no stranger to The Waltz. Having played Romeo in earlier acclaimed productions, he brings depth, humour, and quiet strength to the role. He is joined by Toronto-based Kryslyne-Mai Ancheta, who has a background in Canadian theatre and new musical development.

For Watermark, this production is part of an intentional commitment. “Each fall, we dedicate our stage to a play by a BIPOC Canadian playwright,” says Artistic Director Robert Tsonos. “It is our way of making sure the stories we tell reflect the diversity of Canada, and that audiences can see themselves and their communities on stage.”

That promise carries special resonance here on PEI, where the Filipino community is one of the fastest growing in the province. The Waltz does not just tell a love story, it tells a story that belongs to a community whose voice and presence are becoming an essential part of Island life.

Director Santiago Guzmán says the story will strike a chord with many Islanders. “This play is about

connection, belonging, and seeing yourself in the world around you,” he explains. “I think audiences will recognize parts of themselves in Romeo and Beatrice, no matter where they come from.”

Part romance, part cultural snapshot, and entirely full of heart, The Waltz is a gentle reminder that home is not always a place. It can be a moment, a person, or a song playing on a boombox under the stars.

Tickets are available at watermarktheatre.com or by calling 902-963-3963.

(L–R): Santiago Guzmán, Kryslyne-Mai Ancheta, and Anthony Perpuse

Queerly Canadian

Encore performance at The Guild—Sept 11 to 13

After a smash debut last June, Queerly Canadian—A Late Night Drag Revue is making its return to The Guild in Charlottetown this month with performances at 8:30 pm on September 11, 12, and 13.

Just as irreverent as the last time, this unapologetically queer and hilarious cabaret celebrates Canadian culture through a supergay lens in ways both familiar and fresh for queer folks and their allies from coast to coast to coast. Starring drag artists Didi d’Edada (Jay Whitehead) and her only begotten son, Castrati (Kathy Zaborsky), the high-energy late-night revue features campy parodies, Canadian nostalgia, sketch comedy, and powerhouse live vocals, sure to please die-hard drag fans and curious newcomers. Queerly Canadian is more than just a drag show—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the vibrant queer spirit that thrives on PEI and across the country.

“This show is a love letter to the intersection between queer identity and Canadian culture—with all the weird, wonderful hilarities that come with both,” says Whitehead. “We were

blown away by the response in June, and we can’t wait to revisit the show and queer Charlottetown even more in September.”

The show’s encore run promises fresh numbers, guest appearances by local performers, and even more overthe-top Canadiana.

For tickets, visit theguildpei.com. This is a 19+ event.

Review by Sean McQuaid

Courting Mischief

The Bachelorette Party St. Peter’s Courthouse Theatre Augus t 19, 2025

With fine regional venues like the Kings Playhouse, the Victoria Playhouse and the Harbourfront Theatre largely phasing out conventional theatrical plays, there’s been less to see in recent summers apart from Charlottetown fare and the shows of North Rustico’s stalwart Watermark Theatre. So, when a Buzz listing for a new smalltown play caught my eye, I was eager to revisit St. Peter’s Bay.

It’s been ages since I last visited the historic St. Peter’s Courthouse Theatre, but I’ve always liked it—I was even lucky enough to perform there myself with The Master’s Wife tour way back when. Built in 18741875 as a circuit courthouse overlooking both scenic St. Peter’s Bay and the local branch of the provincial railway (now the Confederation Trail), the building served multiple purposes over the years—doubling as a schoolhouse for a while, for instance—but fell out of use as a courthouse in the 1960s, enduring as a community hall and performance venue.

The theatre is owned by the village of St. Peter’s Bay and managed by a volunteer board, the St. Peter’s Area Development Corporation (SPADC), mandated to improve the economy and quality of life of the St. Peter’s Area. The venue’s seasonal theatre proceeds, supplemented by grants and local business sponsors, fund the upkeep of the theatre and other SPADC operations.

It’s a lovely little hall with exposed wooden beams and classical detailing, all of it perched in a gorgeous scenic location—so the venue’s a feast for the eyes no matter what’s playing there, usually musical acts and comedians; but a big chunk of their 2025 summer season is devoted to The Bachelorette

Party, an original comedy penned by PEI playwright Michael Pendergast and performed by community theatre actors Phillipa “Pippa” Blackburn, Lynn MacInnis, Cathy MacKinnon, and Frankie O’Hanley.

Billed as “a comical tale of friendship, celebrations and mistaken identities,” it’s the story of Joanie (played by MacInnis), who falls in love on vacation and comes back home to PEI with a sparkly engagement ring. Her best friends Donna (Blackburn) and Barb (MacKinnon) plan the most hedonistic bachelorette festivities they can muster, complete with marijuana edibles from the cannabis store in Montague, their first-ever trip to the local spa, and a party complete with stripper—though the confused and inexperienced Barb and Donna unwittingly hire furniture stripper Lester (O’Hanley) instead of the duds-doffing type of stripper they had in mind. Hijinks aplenty inevitably ensue.

Pendergast’s amiably ambling script works in plenty of local references and PEI lore, often to the crowd’s delight, taking perceptive jabs at Island culture on occasion. While the show’s comedy is seldom sophisticated (stuffy old me frowned impatiently through a seemingly endless fart joke sequence that had most of the audience guffawing), it suits its unpretentious characters and shows flashes of genuine cleverness, notably the salaciously deft wordplay of Lester’s unwitting double entendres during the phone call that lands him the party job.

The cast, all community volunteers, seem unsure of their lines on occasion, and their blocking feels a bit stiff at times (one exception being crowd-pleasing bits where the characters depart the stage and mingle improvisationally with the audience); but all are clearly audible, all have likably natural comedic energy, and the three ladies have an easy, believably appealing rapport with each other, perhaps thanks in part to the fact that they and O’Hanley (who plays all of the show’s several male roles) conducted themselves as a collaborative collective—no director, no stage manager, just their venue admin/events worker (musician Jesse MacCormac) handling sound and such.

Scene-changing intervals feel a bit slow at times, and the sets are about as minimal and makeshift as one might expect from low-budget community theatre (literal signs identifying new locations help establish some scenes), but the sizable, happy crowd seemed unbothered by such picayune particulars. Folks were there for a good laugh and a good time, and the St. Peter’s Courthouse Theatre gang delivered.

SUBMITTED

Centre

Confederation Centre kicks off new season in September

The curtain rises this fall on a jampacked LIVE at The Centre season, offering everything from music tributes and world-class comedy to holiday favourites and family-friendly magic.

It all begins September 26 with Martin Levac: Phil Collins & Genesis… Live, a seven-piece tribute to the anthems that defined the ’70s through ’90s. On October 8, the Off-Broadway sensation Bear Grease takes over—an all-Indigenous, hip-hop-powered parody of Grease that blends powwow dance, beats, and laugh-out-loud comedy. Comedy lovers can catch Netflix favourite Tom Papa on October 15, before the season shifts to blues-rock with Colin James Trio on November 20.

The holidays sparkle with the JUNO Award-winning harmonies of The Ennis Sisters on November 25, Cape Breton’s Men of the Deeps with

Game Over

Island Pro Wrestling returns to PEI Brewing Company—Sept 6

Island Pro Wrestling (IPW) returns to the PEI Brewing Company in Charlottetown this month with Game Over on September 6.

Scheduled to appear are PEI champion Maritime Luchador Fantana, Kayden, Ava Lawless, Stormie Hale, Chantal, Matt Chevron, Spike Estey, “The Ultimate Male” Zane Valentine, “No Class” Erik Bass, “The Dynamite Kid” Thomas Billington, and “No Class” Bobby Bass.

guest Jenn Sheppard on November 27, and the audience-participation event, Choir! Choir! Choir! Un-Silent Night on December 15. The classic Nutcracker gets a vibrant twist on December 13, fusing Tchaikovsky’s ballet with hip hop and contemporary dance.

The new year brings Matt Andersen on January 29, followed by the Australian acrobatics of Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours on April 14. Confederation Centre’s Youth Chorus and Confederation Singers performances, as well as Musical Theatre and Dance Umbrella programs’ yearend showcases round out April and May. The season closes May 3 with the PEI Symphony Orchestra’s cinematic journey Once Upon a Score: The Music of Hollywood Visit confederationcentre.com for the full schedule and tickets.

The semi-finals and finals of the IPW Heavy Weight Championship Tournament to crown the first new era IPW Heavy Weight Champion are also on the card. Contenders include August Artois, Giant Orion, Logan Green, Ricky Mortis, and Rugged Rick Owens. Visit islandprowrestling.com/ event-details/ipwgameover for tickets and more information.

Bear Grease takes the stage on October 8

DANCING

Salsa by the Sea

Salsa by the Sea brings its regular indoor Latin social dance outdoors by the seaside on September 6 at 7 pm in downtown Charlottetown at the Queen’s Wharf close to the love-lock sculpture and the big red 2025 sign. This event includes a mixed hour of beginner salsa and bachata lessons by Salsa Con Victoria from PEI and special guest Sheiko Ortiz of Sabor Y Son from Moncton, NB. Two full hours of social dancing to the vibrant beats of Salsa, Bachata and Merengue music will follow from 8–10 pm. There is no admission. All ages are welcome, regardless of skill level. Follow @ Salsa By the Sea on FB for updates.

Line dancing fundraiser

A line dancing fundraiser takes place at the Charlottetown Legion every Monday from 6–8 pm. Small admission fee at the door. Proceeds go directly toward the Legion. 99 Pownal St, Charlottetown.

Latin social dance

Downstreet Dance is hosting a Latin social dance on September 7 from 8–10 pm. Styles include Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue, though all Latin dance styles and levels of ability are welcome. No partner necessary. Song requests are welcome. The dance is 18+ and admission is at the door. 101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown. Register: downstreetdancestudio.setmore.com

Heritage Social Dance Group

The Heritage Social Dance Group at Beaconsfield welcomes new members for the Fall session, beginning on September 10 from 7–9 pm. The session will include basic instruction for new dancers, as well as for those brushing up on their basics. There will also be instruction/ dances for those with knowledge of basic Scottish and English dance formations and dances. This social dance group has been dancing at Beaconsfield Carriage House, 2 Kent St, Charlottetown for more than 20 years, and practices well-known Scottish and English country dances as well as quadrilles and round dances.

The emphasis will be on the social aspect of dancing and basic steps and formations. The aim is to enjoy dancing together while getting exercise. Anyone able to walk briskly and turn without getting dizzy is welcome to join. Partners welcome but not required. Info/register: jsnmacgregor@gmail.com or call 902-394-5877

Volunteer at Downstreet

Volunteers are needed to keep things running smoothly at Downstreet Dance, a non-profit studio in Charlottetown. There will be a new volunteer meeting on September 10 at 6 pm. The studio offers a variety of adult classes year-round and aims to build an inclusive, active community through cultural and social dance practices. Volunteer hours can count toward various programs and may also be exchanged for free dance classes. Fill out a volunteer form at downstreetdance. com. Info: downstreetdance@gmail.com

Irish Set dance workshop and ceilidh

Internationally renowned Irish Set Dance Master Pat Murphy will hold a dance workshop at the Benevolent Irish Society (BIS) on September 16 from 6–7:30 pm, followed by a dance ceilidh from 8–10:30 pm. Participants will enjoy live music, traditional jigs, reels, polkas, and more, with dances called by Pat. All levels of dance experience welcome. Tickets at the door. This is a 19+ event. 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown.

Downstreet social dance

This month’s Downstreet social dance takes place on September 21 from 8–10 pm at 101 Grafton St, 2nd floor, Charlottetown. All dance levels and styles are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear dancing shoes or socks. Attendees may also catch a special performance or demo class. Admission at the door. Info: downstreetdance.com

Irish Set dancing

Dance to traditional Irish reels, polkas, jigs, and more at the Benevolent Irish Society beginning September 24 at 6:30 pm. The series of classes will run until the end of November. Irish Set Dancing is

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partner dancing done in squares of four couples. This is social dancing, purely for fun. Couples and singles with all levels of experience are welcome. Instructors will partner dancers up. Light, smoothsole shoes and comfortable attire are recommended. There is a small fee per class. 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown. Info/register: fredchorne@gmail.com

Eat, Move & Groove

A series of five sessions focused on healthy eating and daytime dancing for people aged 50+ takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month from 2–5 pm in downtown Charlottetown, with the first session starting September 27. Each session includes preparing a healthy meal together under the direction of a guest chef (Chef Sarah Forrester), sharing the meal, and taking some meals home. Guest dance instructor Ronda Gallant will introduce easy dance movements that don’t require a partner. Participants can choose either activity or flow between the kitchen and the dance floor. Healthy eating and movement are both important for healthy ageing. The PEI Department of Social Development and Seniors provided a seniors community meal grant to support this free program hosted by the PEI Food Exchange. Email foodexchangepei@gmail.com to get updates and join or call 902-916-8825. Info: foodexchangepei.com

Dance Umbrella registration

Dance Umbrella welcomes new dancers this fall for the 2025–26 season at Confederation Centre of the Arts. There are a variety of classes for dancers of all levels and ages—from jazz to contemporary to ballet and more. Registration is open until September 30. Info/register: dance@confederationcentre.com or 902-628-6134.

Downstreet programming

Dance classes at Downstreet Dance continue in September. Tuesday classes include Beginner Bellydancing at 6:30 pm and All Levels 1940s Swing at 7:30 pm. Wednesday’s class is Tango Style at 7 pm. Saturday classes are Zumba at 10:30 am, West Coast Swing Fundamentals at 6 pm, and West Coast Swing Practice at 7 pm. Sunday’s class is drop-in Tango Practica at 2 pm. 101 Grafton St, Charlottetown. downstreetdance.com

Darrin Rose

Family Pains comedy tour at The Mack—Sept 19

Fresh off a stand-up tour of Europe, comedian Darrin Rose returns to Canada with his tour Family Pains. The tour stops in Charlottetown at the Mack on September 19 at 7 pm.

Following his appearance on the hit show Letterkenny, the former Match Game host and star of CBC sitcom Mr. D, returns to the stand-up stage in anticipation of his second stand-up TV special. His first special, for CTV/Comedy, was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance in a Comedy/Variety Show.

This tour stop will be Rose’s return to Charlottetown after doing one of the city’s first post-pandemic live shows, just days after the regulations were lifted.

He has been called “one of the hottest comedians in Canada” by GQ magazine, is a six-time performer at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, and a nine-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee. His show was selected Best of the Fest at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. Rose tours across the United States and Canada, and has performed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Comedy at The Triangle

Britt Campbell with Tanya Nicolle—Sept 20

Comedy at The Triangle hits The Pourhouse (above The Old Triangle) in Charlottetown on September 20 at 8 pm, starring Britt Campbell, with host Tanya Nicolle.

Britt Campbell has been described as intelligently inappropriate, dark, relatable, and, surprisingly, kind. Their unique and bold take on life, relationships, human nature, family dynamics, and queerness has made them stand out as one of Canada’s freshest new comedy voices. Britt performs with

Two Tellers and Tunes

Stories, anecdotes, and music at Florence Simmons

Island storytellers Alan Buchanan and Gary Evans showcase how unique

Rose’s stand-up act is full of hurtful, true stories about his family, and laugh-out-loud musings about fatherhood, love, life, and marriage. The show deals with two consistent themes in Rose’s stand-up: how families are never perfect, and how you can’t unlearn childhood feelings of inadequacy.

The show is clean, and he loves to involve the audience to give each show a one-of-a-kind feel.

Tickets at confederationcentre.com.

independent clubs and theatres across the country, and can be heard on SiriusXM, Just for Laughs Originals, and CBC’s Laugh Out Loud.

Visit tanyanicollecomedy.com or Eventbrite for tickets. This is a 19+ event.

Prince Edward Islanders are through funny stories and anecdotes, accompanied by Island music from the Irish Scots in Two Tellers and Tunes. The show runs September 22 and 29 at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall in Charlottetown. Showtime is 7:30 pm.

For tickets, visit tproatlantic. ticketpro.ca/en/pages/1654633175, email info@ticketpro.ca, or call 1-888-311-9090.

CHEVY MAIN

Britt Campbell

PERFORMANCE

music, theatre, dance, comedy...

›› until Aug 30 | select dates

Million Dollar Quartet Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

›› until Aug 30 | select dates

Becoming Dolly Mack Theatre, Charlottetown

›› until Aug 30 | select dates

Dear Jack, Dear Louise Watermark Theatre, North Rustico

›› until Aug 30 | 7:30 pm

Super Trouper: A Night of ABBA

Craig Fair Productions. PEI Brewing Company, Charlottetown

›› until Sept 6 | select dates

Ladies of the Canyon

Ft. Brielle Ansems, Joce Reyome, Alicia Toner, and Keelin Wedge. Harmony House, Hunter River

›› until Oct 15 | select dates

Anne & Gilbert—The Musical Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 28–30 | 8 pm

Nashville Songwriters Festival

Hosted by Ben Chase. Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

August 28–31

2025 Evangeline Area

Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival

Evangeline Recreation Centre, Abram-Village expositionfestival.ca

Aug 29 | 7 pm

Montuno Cubano Double Hill Cidery, Calendonia

Aug 29 | 7 pm

Sheila Ann Smith and friends Cavendish Baptist, Cavendish

Aug 29 | 7 pm

Siddhu Sneh Mixtape Release Party

Ft. Siddhu Sneh and the Pink Baddies, and special guests Ko-Mai, The Umbrella Collective, and Nai Kalbin. The Guild, Charlottetown

Aug 29 | 7:30 pm

Lennie Gallant

Album release. Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 29 | 7:30 pm

Inn Echo

Under the Spire, Kensington

Aug 29 | 7:30 pm

Tanya Davis: Playwright

In-Residence Performance

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 29 | 8 pm

The Chaisson Family

The Fiddling Fisherman Lookout, Souris

Aug 29–31 | 7 pm

Charlottetown Busker Festival

Victoria Row, Founders’ Food Hall & Market, and Peake’s Quay, Charlottetown

Aug 30 | 7 pm

Diana Delirio & Tropicale

Double Hill Cidery, Calendonia

Aug 30 | 1 pm

Patio Tunes: Scott Parsons

Victoria Community Hall, Victoria

Aug 30 | 8 pm

Brother’s McPhee: Nirvana

Unplugged in New York

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Aug 31 | 2 pm

Sarah Hagen: Perk Up, Pianist!

Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Aug 31 | 7 pm

Dino and the Harmonies

Gospel concert. Winsloe United, Winsloe

Aug 31 | 7:30 pm

Acoustic East Coast: A String Quartet Experience

Under the Spire, Kensington

Aug 31 | 8 pm

The Summer Side of Lightfoot: A Celebration of the Man and His Music

Ft. Nudie. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 1 | 7 pm

Steve Hofstetter: Kill The Butterflies

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlotteown

Sept 4 | 7:30 pm

Shane Pendergast & Luka Hall

Souris Show Hall, Souris

Sept 4 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Paul Tynan Trio

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Sept 5 | 7 pm

Press Play: Volume 2

Ft. Catherine MacLellan, Woodsmoke (Malcolm Stanley, Stuart MacFarlane, Peter Richards), Randal Arsenault & Morgan Wagner, Bridget Patterson, Julia Sauve, and more. Victoria Playhouse, Victoria

Sept 5 | 7:30 pm

Lawrence Maxwell Trio Under the Spire, Kensington

Sept 5 | 8 pm

The Funky Monks

Tribute to Red Hot Chili Peppers. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 6 | 7:30 pm

Blaze of Glory

Tribute to Bon Jovi. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Sept 6 | 8 pm

140 Smooth Bore Reunion

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 6 | 8 pm

Stolen Goods

Tribute to Chris Stapleton. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 6–7 | 7 pm

Porch Concert

Ft. Scott Parsons & Friends, Sheila Ann Smith, Ian Toms, and The Diamond Jazz Collective. Beaconsfield Historic House, Charlottetown

Sept 7 | 7:30 pm

Angels In The Architecture: The Songs of Paul Simon

Ft. Nick Doneff. Under the Spire, Kensington

Sept 10 | 7 pm

Classic Country and Comedy

Ft. host and comedian Wade Lynch, Catherine O’Brien, Whitney Rose, Lawrence Maxwell, Kelley Mooney, Gabrielle Roddy, Greg Ellard, Alan Buchanan, and more.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 10 | 7 pm

Steve Piticco the Telecaster Master

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 10–Oct 11 | 8 pm, select dates Inside The Wreck of the

Edmund Fitzgerald

Ft. Shane Pendergast, Brielle Ansems, Cameron MacDuffee, Alicia Toner, Greg Gale, and Mike Ross. Harmony House, Hunter River

Sept 11 | 7:30 pm

Vishtèn

Souris Show Hall, Souris

Sept 11 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Ryan Van Winkle Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Sept 11 | 8 pm

Kylie Fox and Josh Bravener Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 11–13 | 8:30 pm

Queerly Canadian—A Late Night Drag Revue

The Guild, Charlottetown

Sept 12 | 7:30 pm

Beòlach

Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Sept 12 | 7 pm

Dennis Ellsworth

The Lil Red Schoolhouse Music Series. PEI Fox Den, North Bedeque

Sept 12 | 8 pm

Lady Soul Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 13 | 7 pm

Roots and Rhythms concert

Ft. Tom LeClair, Margaret Arsenault, and Michael Gallant. Milton Community Hall, Miltonvale Park

Sept 13 | 7:30 pm

Catherine MacLellan, JP Cormier & Dave Gunning Under the Spire, Kensington

Sept 13 | 8 pm

Poet of the Common Man: Lawrence Maxwell

Tribute to Merle Haggard. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 13 | 8 pm

Kim Albert & Faces

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 13–14

Sommo Festival

Ft. Hozier, Alanis Morissette, Jamie Fine, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Michael Marcagi, Alice Merton, Ducks Ltd., Campbell & Johnston, Cameron Whitcomb, Valley, Rich Aucoin, Goodnight Sunrise, Gizmo…

Amanda Keeles

Can’t Stop Me Now Tour stops in Summerside—Oct 9

Ontario country music artist Amanda Keeles will be live in Summerside at Harbourfront Theatre on October 9 at 7:30 pm, as part of her Can’t Stop Me Now Tour, presented by Fifth Note Entertainment. Known for her powerful vocals and high-energy shows, Keeles was awarded the 2025 FCLMA Country Artist of the Year and has twice taken the top spot in the Canadian Open Country Songwriting Contest. She has been featured on SiriusXM Canada’s Top of the Country, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM Canada Talks, and Billboard Canada’s Top 5 CANCON Download and Most Active Indie for Can’t Stop Me Now. Her music has been added to commercial country radio across Canada, the US, Australia, Ireland, and the UK.

Blending country with classic rock, Keeles creates a high-energy show with originals, country hits, and classic rock favourites. Her band features Scott Szeryk (lead guitar), Brian McHugh (drums), James Vermue (bass), and Shem Jacob (rhythm/acoustic guitar). harbourfronttheatre.com

Classic Country and Comedy

Young at Heart Theatre fundraiser at Florence Simmons

Young at Heart Theatre (YAH), a registered charity, now in its 21st year of enriching the lives of older adults through story and song, needs support so they can continue to bring quality entertainment to older adults in long-term care and community care facilities across PEI. A lot has changed over 21 years, but YAH continues to serve the Island’s older population with live, professional musical theatre performances. YAH’s mission continues to be about lifting spirits, hearts and minds.

A special fundraising event with host and comedian Wade Lynch will be held at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall in Charlottetown on September 10 at 7 pm. Funds raised will help YAH bring a brand-new original production to over 27 venues across PEI.

Starring Catherine O’Brien, artistic producer of YAH, this fundraiser will feature country artists Whitney Rose, Lawrence Maxwell, Island singer-songwriter Kelley Mooney, musical theatre artists Gabrielle Roddy and Greg Ellard, Island storyteller Alan Buchanan, and a band led by musician Deryl Gallant. This evening of classic country music and comedy will feature

Evangeline Fest 2025

Abram-Village—Aug 28 to 31

The Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival returns August 28–31 at the Evangeline Recreation Centre in Abram-Village.

This year’s evening concerts feature Daniel Hébert (NB), Aubin pi la S.C.B. (PEI), and Beauxmont from (NB), along with daily performances from local artists.

The festival opens Thursday at 7 pm with the Acazing Talent Night. On Friday, the Festival Reunion Night begins at 8:30 pm with Daniel Hébert, followed by Acadian rock ’n’ roll band Aubin pi la S.C.B. at 10:30 pm. On Saturday at 9 pm, the Évangéline et Gabriel Dance showcases Beauxmont.

On Sunday, a traditional fiddle and stepdancing show takes place at 2 pm, followed by the closing show at 7 pm.

Other highlights include the PEI Youth Talent Competition Provincial Finals on Friday at 2:30 pm, Nick Arsenault and Friends on Saturday at 1:30 pm, and the Gallant-MacInnes Family on Saturday at 2:30 pm.

Evening events are 19+. Tickets are available at the door, with advance packages also available.

silent and live auctions, special prizes, a 50/50 draw, and more.

YAH Theatre is grateful for all current and future supporters who want to give back to the older generation. Funds help to cover the costs of YAH’s newest production, Fascinating Ladies of Country, which will tour to long-term care, community care facilities and small halls across PEI in the spring of 2026, reaching over 1100 older adults.

Visit tproatlantic.ticketpro.ca/en/ pages/1657715659 for tickets.

(clockwise from top-left): Whitney Rose, Lawrence Maxwell, Wade Lynch, and Catherine O’Brien

RICHARD HALL

CHORAL

Cornwall Community Choir

The Cornwall Community Choir resumes practices in September, meeting Wednesdays from 12:30–2:15 pm at West River United, 10 Church St, in Cornwall, under the direction of Lisa Stead. New and returning members are welcome for the autumn term beginning September 17. The choir practices traditional and contemporary music that is fun to sing—no experience required. New members are asked to pre-register by September 1 by contacting Nancy Jack at nmcjack@gmail.com or 902-675-3838, which ensures that binders and music are prepared for the first practice. Fees are payable by cash or cheque and are due before the first practice, between 11:15 am and 12:15 pm.

Forte Men’s Choir resumes this fall and welcomes all male-identifying and non-binary singers who love good singing and good camaraderie. Rehearsals run on Monday evenings, starting September 8 from 7–8:30 pm, at the Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown. No audition required. Led by Dr. Margot Rejskind, Forte will prepare a Remembrance Day tribute and a festive December program—a mix of serious and light pieces, including “The Grinch.” Info: islandchoralsociety@gmail.com. Follow @fortepei on FB for updates.

Island Choral Society

Led by Dr. Margot Rejskind, the Island Choral Society returns this fall and invites new singers to join. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings starting September 9, from 7–8:30 pm, at the Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown. No audition is required. This large SATB choir is for people who experience the sheer joy of singing together. Members are mostly for-the-love-of-it singers with a wide range of musical knowledge and skill levels. Concerts are designed to engage audiences with imaginative programming, ranging from major classics—Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” Fauré’s “Requiem,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” Bach’s “Magnificat,” the Verdi “Requiem,” and most recently “Messiah” and Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace”—to lighter material. For the first term of the 2025–26 season, the choir will prepare Conrad Susa’s “Carols and Lullabies,” based on traditional Spanish and Spanish-American pieces, along with a smorgasbord of ancient and modern carols. The concert will be on December 6. The spring concert follows

on April 26, featuring a major classical work performed jointly with the professional Luminos Ensemble and Luminos Chamber Orchestra. Past choral singing experience is recommended, but not required. Info/register: islandchoralsociety.ca, islandchoralsociety@gmail.com

Summerside Choir

The Summerside Community Choir’s fall session begins September 9 at Summerside Presbyterian Church. Registration and information start at 6:30 pm, followed by singing and a welcome social. No experience is needed—participants are invited to come ready to have fun and fill their souls with music. New members are welcome. The church is located at 130 Victoria Rd, Summerside. More information is available at summersidechoir.ca, by emailing sumchoir@ gmail.com, or by following the choir on Facebook.

Confederation Centre choral season

Registration is open for the 2025–26 choral season at Confederation Centre of the Arts. The Junior Youth Chorus (ages 8–10), the Intermediate Youth Chorus (ages 10–18), and the Confederation Singers (ages 18+) are welcoming new singers. No audition necessary. Interested individuals are welcome to sit in on a rehearsal to see if it’s a good fit. Registration deadline is September 15. Info/register: artseducation@confederationcentre.com or 902-628-6134

Harmonia Youth Choir, the flagship educational program of Sirens Choral Association, is welcoming new singers for its 11th season. Open to youth ages 10–20, Harmonia provides an inclusive, vibrant space to explore the joy of group singing, build friendships, and grow musical skills. Led by Artistic Director Kelsea McLean and Assistant Director/Pianist Andrea Ellis, the program includes Harmonia Junior (ages 10–14, unchanged treble voices) and Harmonia Senior (ages 14–20, treble or changed voices). Weekly rehearsals begin September 16 at Park Royal United, 11 Christie Dr, Charlottetown: Junior rehearses 6:30–7:45 pm; Senior rehearses 7:30–9 pm, with a shared rehearsal from 7:30–7:45 pm. Harmonia’s season runs until May 5, with public performances on December 13, 2025, and May 8, 2026, at 7 pm. Info/ register: sirenschoir.com/sing-with-harmonia, kelsea@sirenschoir.com

A grand celebration

UPEI Department of Music concert reveals new piano

As part of UPEI’s recent Performing Arts fundraising initiative, the Department of Music was able to acquire a new Yamaha CFX 9-foot concert grand piano. This beautiful new instrument will be unveiled in a weekend-long celebration of music featuring the piano.

The celebration begins September 19 at 7:30 pm with a recital of attractive and accessible solo, piano duet, and two-piano music chosen to showcase the new piano’s range and versatility. This performance will feature UPEI piano professor Dr. Magdalena von Eccher, along with invited guests Professor Emerita Dr. Frances Gray and PEI-based pianist Glen Montgomery. An intermission in the concert program will be preceded by a brief presentation by piano technician James Bainbridge, following which guests and audience members will be welcomed on stage to chat with Bainbridge and view the new piano up close.

along with UPEI piano students, in solo, four-hand, and six-hand piano music. It will be an opportunity for these young pianists to perform on a world-class instrument.

Immediately following this recital, at 4 pm, there will be a free masterclass that will provide local students with the opportunity to learn from visiting guest artist, Dr. Ross Osmun, from Bishop’s University.

The weekend celebration concludes on September 21 at 2:30 pm with a piano recital featuring visiting guest artist, Dr. Ross Osmun.

A Young Pianists Recital on, September 20 at 2:30 pm will feature outstanding piano students selected from award-winning participants of the 2025 PEI Provincial Music Festival,

All events will be held on the SDU Stage in Steel Recital Hall on the UPEI campus.

For more information, visit upei.ca/ music or contact music@upei.ca.

An Evening of Chamber Music

An Evening of Chamber Music featuring the Ulysses String Quartet with guest soprano Sung Ha Shin-Bouey will take place at 7:30 pm on September 26 at Steel Recital Hall, UPEI.

The Ulysses Quartet is a professional string quartet based in New York City. They are the grand prize and gold medal winners of the 2016 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition; first prize winners of the 2018 Schoenfeld International String Competition, the American Prize, and the Vietnam International Music Competition; second prize winners at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition; and were named Lisa Arnhold Fellows of the Juilliard School—a three-year appointment as the Juilliard Graduate Resident Quartet.

The first violinist of the Ulysses Quartet Christina Bouey, who grew up in Charlottetown, where she began her violin studies in the PEI school

system. She is now an internationally recognized violinist based in New York City. Christina serves as concertmaster of the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, and she was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Violin at Rutgers University.

Forte Men’s Choir

Harmonia Youth Choir

Ulysses String Quartet

LARA ST. JOHN

Featuring the Ulysses String Quartet with Sung Ha Shin-Bouey

Ross Osmun (left) and Magdalena von Eccher

Souris Show Hall

Concerts and community events close the summer season

The Souris Show Hall will wind down its busy summer concert season after a full slate of offerings this month.

Emerging Island songwriters Shane Pendergast and Luka Hall will perform on September 4. Pendergast has been gathering accolades for his observational folk songwriting and melodic guitar playing. Joining him is Luka Hall—a young fiddler who has recently released an EP featuring his own songwriting.

Vishtèn will play the Souris Show Hall on September 11. In demand internationally for blend of traditional and original instrumentals, Vishtèn has represented the Acadian and Celtic traditions of this region for over two decades.

Finally, Cape Breton Mi’kmaq fiddler Morgan Toney will perform on September 18. Toney has garnered accolades and success for his fusion of

Goolaholla!

Rollo Bay—Sept 26 & 27

Goolaholla! festival returns September 26 and 27 at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Grounds.

This year’s lineup features BAHAMAS, Becka Viau, BreenRynne-Murray (IRE), Coyote, DeeDee Austin, Digging Roots, DNCTHNG, Fundance, Georgia Mooney (AUS), Julie Pellissier Lush, Lucy Farrell, Kiara Ra, Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors, Mo Kenney, Monica Lacey, Neon Dreams, Tunes and Tales, and The East Pointers.

The artist-driven event also includes Goolaholla! Comedy (with a new breakfast slot this year), local artists in the Pop-Up Goola-ry, an expanded vendor programme in Saturday’s Momentary Markets, a craft beer and tastings programme, the free and highly competitive Goolaholla! Games, and more.

Cape Breton Celtic fiddling traditions, and Mi’kmaq story and song.

Toney will also host a workshop event for local Souris youth during the day, followed by a public performance that evening. The workshop is part of the first iteration of the Souris Show Hall Children’s Festival, an event in collaboration with local schools to bring performance, storytelling, and music to youth in Eastern Kings. Other events will include workshops and performances with Tunes ‘n’ Tall Tales and Becca Griffin, and readings by Island authors Alma Fullerton, Judith Graves, and Kara Griffin.

The Hall will also host several films for children, seniors, and the community at large, as well as an open mic, and a community barbecue in September.

Tickets to concerts are available in advance at sourisshowhall.com.

Digging Roots (above) and Breen-Rynne-Murray

Leopolis Mélange

Ukrainian Canadian Congress fundraiser

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – PEI Branch’s upcoming fundraiser “Leopolis Mélange: Jazz, Chocolate & Legends from the City of Lions,” inspired by the city of Lviv in Western Ukraine, will take place at the Charlottetown Firefighters Club on September 13 at 6 pm.

Guests will step into the golden glow of Leopolis—the legendary city of Lviv in Western Ukraine, also known as the City of Lions, Lemberg, and even the small Paris of Eastern Europe—and savour a cultural experience featuring live jazz performances by Jazz Avenue, desserts and treats inspired by the confections of Lviv’s historic cafés, a complimentary glass of wine or champagne, storytelling rooted in history and local legends, bringing the spirit of Leopolis to life, coffee, tea, and a mélange of surprises throughout the night.

Doors open at 5 pm. General admission tickets are available now and seating is limited. Reserve early at eventbrite.ca. Note that children not using their own seat are admitted free. All proceeds will go toward humanitarian support for Ukrainian defenders through trusted volunteers.

Porch and garden concert

Fundraiser for Beaconsfield Historic House—Sept 6

A concert and dance in support of Beaconsfield Historic House in Charlottetown will be held on September 6 from 7–10 pm.

Live music will take place on the porch and in the Victorian garden overlooking the Charlottetown Harbour. The night will begin at 7 pm with Scott Parsons & Friends, performing original music that tells the story of PEI’s Black history through rhythm and blues enriched with a touch of reggae. The dance will start at 8:15 pm with entertainment by Sheila Ann Smith, Ian Toms, and The Diamond Jazz Collective, delivering a mix of swing, jazz, and Latin music.

The Beaconsfield Historic House benefit event is a way to give back to

Roots and rhythms

Concert at Milton Community Hall—Sept 13

the historic site for providing essential and meaningful opportunities for the community to gather and grow. Visit sheilaannsmith.online to purchase tickets.

Tickets available at goolaholla.com.

The family-friendly festival features an expanded children’s area, moving beyond the GoolaHollow space— home to theatre, a library, and games curated by children and young people—into the new woods-based Lord of the Flies programme, making use of the 60-acre property.

Tom LeClair, Margaret Arsenault, and Michael Gallant will present an evening of music at Milton Community Hall on September 13 from 7–9 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Miltonvale Park residents receive priority booking, but all are

welcome to attend the performance. Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, call 902-566-3154 or email miltonmvps@gmail.com.

Vishtèn (left) and Morgan Toney

SUBMITTED

Scott Parsons and Sheila Ann Smith

PERFORMANCE

music, theatre, dance, comedy...

…continued from page B8

Alex Warren, Pvris, Hollow Coves, Chiara Savasta, Brooks & Bowskill, Hunter Metts, Ichi-Bons, King Cruff, Billianne, Charlie Houston, and Customer Service. Cavendish Beach Events Centre, Cavendish

Sept 13, 14

Valdy

Sept 13. 7:30: Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Sept 14, 2 pm: Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

Sept 14 | 3 pm

Adam Cicchillitti Under the Spire, Kensington

Sept 17 | 7:30 pm

David James & Big River

Tribute to Johnny Cash. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Sept 17 | 7:30 pm

Georgetown Hootenanny Hosted by Taylor Johnson. Kings Playhouse, Georgetown

Sept 18 | 7 pm

CBC Radio’s The Debaters Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Sept 18 | 7:30 pm

Morgan Toney Souris Show Hall, Souris

Sept 18 | 8 pm

Songs On Fire: Live and In the Round

Ft. host Ben Kunder with special guests Emilea May and Jim Bryson. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 18 | 8 pm

Island Jazz Quartet Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Sept 19 | 7 pm

Charlie A-Court Double Hill Cidery, Calendonia

Sept 19 | 7 pm

Darrin Rose: Family Pains The Mack, Charlottetown

Sept 19 | 7:30 pm

Magdalena von Eccher Piano Recital

UPEI Department of Music faculty recital. Steel Recital Hall, UPEI, Charlottetown

Sept 19 | 8 pm

Nathan Wiley with full band

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 20 | 2:30 pm

Young Pianists Recital

UPEI Department of Music recital. Steel Recital Hall, UPEI, Charlottetown

Sept 20 | 7 pm

Mango Street Trio

Double Hill Cidery, Calendonia

Sept 20 | 7:30 pm

Luke Combs UK

Tribute Luke Combs. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Sept 20 | 8 pm

Comedy at The Triangle

Ft. Britt Campbell and Tanya Nicolle. The Pourhouse, Charlottetown

Sept 20 | 8 pm

Kelley Mooney and Route 225

Tribute to Bonnie Raitt. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 20 | 8 pm

Jonny Ray & Louise Arsenault

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 21 | 2 pm

Kids’ Keilidh

Ft. Lucy Farrell, Leah Ellis and Brieonna

Locche Richard, Marion Copleston, and Jed Stoltz. Bonshaw Hall, Bonshaw

Sept 21 | 2:30 pm

Ross Osmun Piano Recital

UPEI Department of Music guest recital. Steel Recital Hall, UPEI, Charlottetown

Sept 21 | 7:30 pm

The Jack Pine Folk Club

Ft. host Shane Pendergast, Benj Rowland, Les Faux Pas, and Ashleigh Tremere. The Pourhouse, Charlottetown

Sept 22, 29 | 7:30 pm

Two Tellers and Tunes

Ft. Alan Buchanan and Gary Evans with the Irish Scots. Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 23–24 | 7:30 pm

Golden Girls: The Laughs

Continue

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Sept 24 | 8 pm

Jeremy Fisher

With special guest Dennis Ellsworth. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 25 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Isaac Mazer ThE ITF fiVe

Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Sept 26 | 7:30 pm

An Evening of Chamber Music

Ft. Ulysses String Quartet with guest soprano Sung Ha Shin-Bouey. Steel Recital Hall, UPEI Campus

Sept 26 | 7:30 pm

Martin Levac

Tribute to Phil Collins and Genesis Live. Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

Sept 26 | 7 pm

Bass & Drums: Carlie Howell & Elini Morales

Double Hill Cidery, Calendonia

Sept 26–27

Goolaholla!

Ft. BAHAMAS, Becka Viau, Breen-RynneMurray (IRE), Coyote, DeeDee Austin, Digging Roots, DNCTHNG, Fundance, Georgia Mooney (AUS), Julie Pellissier Lush, Lucy Farrell, Kiara Ra, Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors, Mo Kenney, Monica Lacey, Neon Dreams, Tunes and Tales, and The East Pointers. Rollo Bay Fiddle Grounds, Rollo Bay

Sept 27 | 7 pm

Forro & Fiddles: Carlie Howell, Elini Morales

With special guests. Double Hill Cidery, Calendonia

Sept 27 | 8 pm

Joey, Jamie, & Wade Band

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Sept 28 | 2 pm

Jazz Avenue Production

Brackley Beach Community Centre, Brackley

Sept 28 | 7 pm

Fall Flavours: PEI Symphony featuring Carlie Howell

Double Hill Cidery, Calendonia

Sept 28 | 7 pm

Séan McCann: The Great Canadian Road Trip

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 28 | 7 pm

PEI Comedy Classic

Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Charlottetown

Sept 29 | 7:15 pm

Island Jazz at the Movies: Robin Hood 1922 The Guild, Charlottetown

Oct 1 | 7 pm

Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations

Ft. Amy Sky, Derek Edwards and Pavlo. Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 2 | 7:30 pm

The Suits—Hit Songs from the 50’s to the 80’s Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 2 | 8 pm

Island Jazz: Maya Plays Reggae

Ft. Maya Márquez Calle. Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown

Oct 3–4 | 7:30 pm, Oct 4 | 2 pm

Anything for Love - The Music of Meatloaf

Craig Fair Productions. Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 4 | 7:30 pm

Nice Boys

Tribute Guns and Roses with special guests The Funky Monks. Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, Summerside

Oct 4 | 7:30 pm

Songs and Stories of Dolly Parton

Ft. Kelley Mooney, Christine Cameron, and Keelin Wedge. Souris Show Hall, Souris

Oct 4 | 8 pm

Absolute Losers

With Green Eyes, Witch Hands. Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

Oct 4 | 8 pm

Michael Myers

Stompin’ Tom Centre, Skinners Pond

Oct 5 | 11 am, 2 pm

Frozen In Time Sing-Along Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

Oct 5 | 2 pm

Harvest Harmonies on The Barn Floor

Ft. Bluestreak. St. John’s Anglican Church, Crapaud

Séan McCann

Great

Big Canadian Road Trip stops at Trailside—Sept

28

Harbourfront fall

2025 Harbour Highlights and autumn lineup

Séan McCann, Canadian troubadour and Order of Canada recipient, is extending his national Great Big Canadian Road Trip with a string of intimate performances from Ontario to the East Coast this fall. His tour will stop at Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown on September 28 at 8 pm.

“Having already covered over 10,000 kilometers on this national tour, I’ve learned that the sum of our differences is never greater than the love we share,” says McCann. “Division is a disease and music is the medicine we all need right now to help find a cure. A good song is a friend until the end and a Canada united shall fear no foe.”

Armed with his acoustic guitar, powerful voice, and stories that speak to resilience, recovery, and real connection, McCann’s shows are more than concerts—they’re conversations.

Best known for his work with Great Big Sea, McCann has spent the past

decade forging a solo path steeped in honesty and healing. His recent single, “Proud To Be A Canadian,” has become a quiet anthem for this new era of care and community.

Visit trailside.ca for tickets.

The Edmund Fitzgerald

Returning to Harmony House in September

Inside The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald returns to Harmony House in Hunter River this fall with performances running Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8 pm, from September 10 to October 11.

Fifty years ago this November, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank beneath the icy waters of Lake Superior, taking all 29 crew members with her. This tragic shipwreck was immortalized in song by the great Canadian songwriter Gordon Lightfoot.

In this Harmony House world premiere, Mike Ross and a band of Island musicians and storytellers bring the story of this ill-fated ship to life. Through Lightfoot’s legendary music, Inside The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald will take the audience on a journey from the ship’s maiden voyage to its final, fateful day.

Created by the writing team behind Inside American Pie and The 27

Summerside’s Harbourfront Theatre has unveiled its Fall 2025 Harbour Highlights series, bringing a mix of musicians, international performers, and live experiences to PEI.

The Harbour Highlights series showcases the standout performances chosen by Harbourfront Theatre for their exceptional talent, artistry, and appeal. This fall, highlights include the songs and storytelling of folk legend Valdy; Canadian rock and blues musician Matt Minglewood, returning with a career-spanning celebration of hits and road stories; international sensation Black Umfolosi International, delivering a cappella harmonies, vibrant rhythms, and dynamic dance from Zimbabwe; and Canadian country favourites George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett.

The fall season also features a variety of celebrated theatrical productions, including Craig Fair Productions’ Anything for Love: The Music of Meat Loaf and Against All Odds: A Night of Peter Gabriel & Phil Collins. Tribute performances honouring The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, AC/

DC, and Britney Spears will delight audiences with the music of artists spanning generations.

In addition, Harbourfront welcomes acclaimed performers The Stampeders, Ron James, Derek Seguin, Dallas Smith, and Amanda Keeles. Full show details, including dates and showtimes, are available online. Tickets for all fall performances are on sale now at harbourfronttheatre.com, by phone at 902-888-2500, or in person at the Harbourfront Theatre box office.

Club, this signature Harmony House production features Shane Pendergast, Brielle Ansems, Cameron MacDuffee, Alicia Toner, Greg Gale, and Mike Ross. Research and writing are by Sarah Wilson and Mike Ross, with musical arrangements and direction by Mike Ross.

Visit harmonyhousepei.com or call 1-888-311-9090 for tickets.

Valdy

SUBMITTED

DAVID HOWELLS

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

(L–R): Brielle Ansems, Greg Gale, Alicia Toner, Shane Pendergast, Mike Ross, and Cameron MacDuffee

PEI RECORDINGS

ALBUMS

Home Grown: Songs for Childrenfolk

Molly Whuppie

Children’s musician Molly Whuppie’s second album, Home Grown: Songs for Childrenfolk, will be available on all major streaming platforms and at mollywhuppie.com starting August 29. This gentle-paced collection of songs and rhymes invites families to slow down and enjoy calm, cozy music together.

“Some of these songs have been sung for hundreds of years, while others were written just for this album,” says Whuppie. “The common thread is a feeling of warmth, simplicity, and kindness.”

Known for her nostalgic folk music for children, Whuppie has built a community of more than 1.8 million followers across social media. Her music reaches audiences worldwide while staying rooted in the joy of sharing songs from her home on Prince Edward Island.

@mollywhuppiemusic

Cool Band Tracks & Instrumentals #3

Andrew A. Melzer

Record producer and composer

Andrew A. Melzer is releasing Cool Band Tracks & Instrumentals #3 on September 5.

Cool Band Tracks & Instrumentals #3 is the third album in a series collecting recordings of songs that were either intended as instrumentals or originally written with vocals but are presented here without them. The 19 tracks were recorded by studio musicians between 1971 and 2022, with string overdubs performed by the string sections of symphony orchestras. The recordings took place in Toronto, Los Angeles, and Charlottetown. The genres represented include pop, classical, jazz, and rock.

This series of albums contains tracks that have been placed in the feature films My Old Lady (BBC Films), Avenue of the Giants (Lucky Man Productions), and North of Normal (Elevation Pictures), as well as in the television series Riverdale (Fox Network) and Neumatt (Zodiak Pictures/Netflix). pandadigital.com

Siddhu Sneh releases their mixtape i am on August 29 at The Guild in Charlottetown.

i am is entirely self-produced—written, recorded, produced, arranged, and performed by Siddhu Sneh. The tape was mastered by Josh Eastman at Helm Studios in Vancouver, BC. The release had creative direction by Marina Furuyama, with posters and tape cover by Vicram, and photos by Purpee’s Cave and Furuyama.

The release party is set to be an evening of radical love and community with Siddhu Sneh and the Pink Baddies, and will feature special guests Ko-Mai, The Umbrella Collective, and Nai Kalbin. Playing live with the Pink Baddies are Matt Bridges, Diana Delirio, Charlotte, Christopher Martell, and Ava Lynne Cain. This is a paywhat-you-can event. Doors open at 7 pm. The venue is sponsored by the PEERS Alliance.

This project was made possible by the funding received from Music PEI and Innovation PEI.

@siddhusneh

SINGLES

“New

Light” KINLEY

PEI pop artist KINLEY returns with her first release of the year, the radiant and heartfelt single “New Light,” available on all major streaming platforms as of August 29.

Produced by Jake Charron of

award-winning group The East Pointers, “New Light” is an uplifting pop jam about growth, gratitude, and choosing love in the face of life’s storms. Catchy melodies and uplifting lyrics meet crisp, modern production to deliver a song that feels like sunrise after a long night.

“‘New Light’ is about coming through challenges stronger, more open, and more grateful,” KINLEY shares. “It’s that moment you realize the hard times didn’t break you—they helped you shine even brighter.”

Known for her ethereal vocals and powerful storytelling, KINLEY has earned her place as one of Atlantic Canada’s most respected musical voices. With over 550 recording credits, three solo albums, and a shelf full of East Coast Music and Music PEI Awards, she continues to evolve as a solo artist while remaining a sought-after collaborator.

kinleymusic.co

Strawberry nominated

Brokeheart Audio selected for possible Polaris Heritage Prize

PEI-born band Strawberry has just been nominated for the 2025 Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize for their 1998 album Brokeheart Audio

Winners and nominees for the Heritage Prize, the companion award to the Polaris Music Album Prize, are Canadian albums of artistic distinction, without regard to sales, genre or affiliation. It is to honour meritorious Canadian albums that predate when Polaris began in 2006.

Two of this year’s 12 nominated albums will receive the Heritage Prize designation. One album will be chosen by public vote campaign in August, and a second will be determined by a Heritage Prize jury made up of music media and music historians.

The winning albums will be revealed at the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony on September 16.

Siddhu Sneh

CBMF 2026 headliners

Hardy, Tucker Wetmore, and Cody Johnson

Whitecap Entertainment recently announced the 2026 Bell Presents Cavendish Beach Music Festival headliners.

Set to return to Cavendish, PEI from July 9–11, 2026, the East Coast’s biggest country music festival will feature performances from two-time CMA Award winner Hardy, viral chart-climber Tucker Wetmore, and multi-platinum hitmaker Cody Johnson.

Hardy will headline Thursday night, bringing his signature mix of country grit and southern-rock edge to PEI for the first time. With hits like “Truck Bed” and “Wait in the Truck,” Hardy is a celebrated songwriter turned headliner, and continues to sell out arenas across North America.

Tucker Wetmore will make his

CBMF debut on Friday night. With sold-out headlining shows and hits like “Wine into Whisky” and “Wind Up Missing You,” Wetmore’s lyrics, vocals, and modern country sound have earned him a growing following.

Closing out the weekend will be Cody Johnson, finally making his long-awaited Cavendish debut after being originally slated to perform in 2020. Known for his powerhouse vocals and authentic country roots, Johnson has become one of the genre’s most respected artists. With chart-toppers like “’Til You Can’t” and “The Painter,” fans can expect a high-energy performance.

Visit cavendishbeachmusic.com for tickets, artist announcements, and more.

Harvest Harmonies

On October 5, St. John’s Anglican Church in Crapaud will present Harvest Harmonies on The Barn Floor with Bluestreak. The concert will run from 2–4 pm and is a fundraiser for ongoing expenses of the church.

The Barn Floor is a former cattle barn now converted into a concert hall by owner of the farm, Charlie Sherren. It is complete with a stage and theatre seats and is located at Sherren Family Farm, 734 Route 13 in Crapaud. There is plenty of convenient parking in the field adjacent to the entrance to The Barn Floor.

(L–R): Bluestreak is Roger Wightman, Larry Campbell and Charlie Sherren

Bluestreak is an Island acoustic music group who specialize in original songs, blending folk, gospel, country, and bluegrass styles. Vocals are accompanied by guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, and stand-up bass. Band members are Larry Campbell, Roger Wightman, Marcella Richard, David Blue and Peter Richards. Bluestreak is the winner of numerous PEI Music Awards and their latest album is called Rounding Third. Says Charlie Sherren, “Music brings joy to a lot of people, so we are planning to have a joyful afternoon.”

The ladies of the parish will be serving a light lunch at intermission. Admission is by donation with a tax receipt given upon request.

Stompin’ Tom Festival

Series continues into

October

The Stompin’ Tom Festival Series continues at the Stompin’ Tom Centre in Skinners Pond through October 10. Concerts begin at 8 pm, unless otherwise noted. The upcoming lineup includes 140 Smooth Bore Reunion on September 6, Steve Piticco the Telecaster Master on September 10 (7 pm), Kim Albert & Faces on September 13, Jonny & Louise Arsenault on September 20, Joey, Jamie & Wade on September 27, Michael Myers on October 4, and Lennie Gallant on October 10.

Visit stompintomfest.com or call 902-882-3214 for more information.

On The Barn Floor with Bluestreak

Steve Piticco

SUBMITTED

(L–R): Tucker Wetmore, Hardy, and Cody Johnson

ONGOING MUSIC

ceilidhs, dances, series, sessions...

Back Home Tonight

There are four shows left this season for the Monday evening concert series at the air-conditioned Stanley Bridge Women’s Institute Hall. Host Gordon Belsher will be joined by his son-in-law, multi-instrumentalist Todd MacLean, and PEI’s “red-headed fiddler” Courtney Hogan-Chandler, on September 1. Special guests on September 8 are Courtney on fiddle, and pianist/percussionist Brad Fremlin, who will perform a piece with a bow on carpenter’s saw. Gordon, Todd and Courtney will be at the September 15 show, as well as the finale on September 22. Doors open at 7 pm. Showtime is 7:30 pm. Audience members can expect a rollercoaster ride of singable songs, lively jigs and reels, beautiful airs, poignant ballads—and a few surprises. Seats can be booked at gordonbelsher.com. Cash, debit, and credit are accepted at the door. 4897 St. Marys Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Blues Jam

The Blues Jam with the Plain Dirty Blues band resumes on September 27. The jam runs on the last Saturday of each month from 5:30–8 pm at Baba’s Lounge. Admission is by donation. Follow Plain Dirty Blues Band on FB for updates. 189 Great George St, Charlotteown.

Ceilidh in the City

Now in its 15th season, Ceilidh in the City runs every Wednesday evening at the Jack Blanchard Centre, 7 Pond St, Charlottetown. The air-conditioned venue opens at 6:30 pm, with showtime at 7:30 pm. Admission is cash-only at the door. Upcoming shows are: Encore performance of The Blue Crystals on September 3; Double Trouble with the Dunsford Boys Dino & Terry Dunsford on September 10; East Coast Kitchen Party with the Ross Family Duo Johnny & Stephanie Ross on September 17; The East Coast Legends Show with Colleen MacPhee & Jacinta MacDonald, a tribute to East Coast Music Legends on September 24; and Salt Water Dollies with Keelin Wedge & Christine Cameron on October 1. Weekly 50/50 draws support local charities. Bar and canteen service is provided by 4S Catering.

Ceilidhs at the Irish Hall

The Benevolent Irish Society hosts ceilidhs featuring local bands and musicians at the Irish Cultural Centre. Music starts at 7:30 pm. The lineup in September includes: Sue Petrie & Lester MacPherson on September 5; Fullerton’s Marsh with Randy Dibblee, Willie Arsenault and Frank McQuaid on September 12; and Cian O’Morain with Ireland friends including Brid Harper and Jim Murray on September 26. Tickets are available at benevolentirishsocietyofpei.com or at the door. 582 North River Rd, Charlottetown.

Ceilidhs of Crapaud

The Crapaud Community Hall presents the Ceilidhs of Crapaud. The next ceilidh, on September 7 at 2 pm, will feature music by the LeClair Family Band, Fullerton’s Marsh, and Kevin Arthur and Jason Campbell. There will be a 50/50 draw and a light lunch will be served at intermission. Admission is at the door. The hall, located at 36 Rte 13, Crapaud, is air-conditioned.

Close to the Ground

The Close to the Ground concert series, hosted by Fiddlers’ Sons, is held at Hillcrest United in Montague every Thursday at 8 pm, until September 25. Fiddlers’ Sons—featuring Eddy Quinn, Keelin Wedge, and John B. Webster— welcome fiddlers Fiona MacCorquodale or Cynthia MacLeod on select dates. The group also invites a different musical guest each week for a night of PEI roots music and storytelling. This year’s guests include ECMA Award winners and nominees, Music PEI Award winners, veteran performers, and rising talent. The upcoming lineup includes: The Ross Family on August 28, Tip ‘er Back on September 4, Kelley Mooney, Keelin Wedge and Christine Cameron’s Tribute to Dolly Parton on September 11, Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys on September 18, and the finale with with PEI’s Country Gentleman Lester MacPherson on September 25. Admission is at the door. There are no advance ticket sales. The church is located at 50 Wood Islands Rd, Montague.

Cymbria Lions Club Ceilidhs

The last ceilidh in the summer series at the Cymbria Lions Club is on August 31 at 7:30 pm with Shane Pendergast & Allison Giggey. There will be a 50/50 draw and canteen service. The venue is accessible and air-conditioned. Admission is at the door, which opens at 6:30 pm. 2184 Church Rd, Rustico. Info: 902-963-2166; cymbrialions.ca

Dunstaffnage Ceilidh

A ceilidh hosted by Road Masters Band with guest entertainers is held at the Dunstaffnage School Centre on the first Sunday of each month (September 7) at 7 pm. There is a 50/50 draw and admission is at the door. The venue is accessible and air-conditioned. 13529 St. Peter’s Rd, Dunstaffnage.

Got Blues Matinee

Got Blues, led by Chris Roumbanis with friends Mike Robicheau and Alan Dowling, hosts a weekly Saturday matinee from 2–4 pm at the Salvadore Dali Café. Each week, a special guest joins the first set, followed by an electric blues jam in the second. There is no cover charge; they pass the hat. The upcoming performances feature: Season opener with singer Chazz Smith & keyboardist/saxophonist Todd MacLean on September

6; singer Kenny Pearl & guitarist James Phillips on September 13; singer/guitarist Kim Doolittle from NS on September 20; and singer/guitar/harpist Jeff Coates from PQ on September 27. 155 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Island Jazz

Jazz on Thursdays at Baba’s Lounge features top local musicians performing original music, standards, jazz and pop favourites. Each show features a different group and two sets starting at 8 pm. The upcoming lineup includes: Paul Tynan Trio on September 4; Ryan Van Winkle on September 11; Island Jazz Quartet on September 18; and Isaac Mazer ThE ITF fiVe on September 25. Admission is by donation. 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Michael Pendergast & “Uncle” Tom McSwiggan

Enjoy family-friendly entertainment featuring Celtic and Maritime music, traditional and local songs, lively fiddling, step dancing, and plenty of amusing stories with hosts Michael Pendergast and “Uncle” Tom McSwiggan. They’re joined by Shane Pendergast (vocals/guitar), Andy Doucette (fiddle), and Veronica Murray (step dance). The Stanley Bridge Ceilidhs run on Thursdays at 7:30 pm to September 25 at Stanley Bridge Hall (4897 St Marys Rd, Stanley Bridge). Island strawberries and ice cream are available at intermission. Admission is cash only at the door, which opens at 7 pm. Info: 902-836-4310

Morell Concert Series

Presented by the Morell and Area Development Corporation, free musical performances are held Thursday evenings from 6:30–8:30 pm until September 4 at Peter Gordon Memorial United. The final performances in the summer series will feature Abi Marie on August 28, and Jacinta MacDonald on September 4. The church is located at 14 Church St, Morell.

Orwell Corner Ceilidh

The Orwell Corner Historic Village Board hosts monthly fundraising ceilidhs in the Village Hall at Orwell Corner. The next ceilidh is September 3 at 7 pm. Admission is by donation and includes a 50/50 draw and a light lunch. 98 Macphail Park Rd, Vernon Bridge.

Richard Wood: An Evening of Celtic Music

PEI fiddler Richard Wood’s high-energy concert series continues on Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm until Septemeber 20 at the Sterling Women’s Institute Hall in Stanley Bridge. Known for his electrifying performances and deep Island roots, Wood leads audiences through traditional and original Celtic tunes with his fiery fiddle style. Upcoming concerts take place on August 30, and September 6, 13, and 20. Doors open at 7 pm. Enjoy a 50/50 draw, strawberries and ice cream, lively step dancing, and more. The hall is air-conditioned. Tickets are available in advance at rwood.ca/events or at the door. 4897 St. Mary’s Rd, Stanley Bridge. Info: rwood.ca

Ross Family Ceilidh

The Ross Family perform every Monday at 7:30 pm at Victoria Playhouse until September 8. Siblings Stephanie, Johnny, and Danielle take a deep dive into authentic PEI music, interpreted through the lens of their family’s roots and current influences. This show marks a departure from the early years of this long-running ceilidh’s format; it is now centred around vocal songs and storytelling, supported by fiddle sets, PEI/World dance fusion, and playful piano shenanigans. The new show retains the high energy and creativity the band is known for, while showcasing the depth and maturity they’ve developed through years of performing and songwriting together. It features original songs that blend folk, country, and soul, along with select covers from inspirational Island songwriters and a journey through traditional sounds. Most songs are presented in English, though the group also honours the Scots-Gaelic language of their paternal ancestors and the French of their Acadian heritage on the Arsenault side of the family. Visit victoriaplayhouse.com or call 902-658-2025 for tickets. 20 Howard St, Victoria.

Schooner Sessions

Sessions with Mark Douglas and friends take place weekly on Thursdays at 7 pm at The Old Triangle, 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Stanley Bridge Hall Ceilidhs with the Chaisson Trio

Experience a PEI Ceilidh, summer’s must-do Island tradition, and step into the intimate setting of Stanley Bridge Historic Women’s Institute Hall. Every Wednesday at 7:30 pm until September 17, the Chaisson Trio hosts a lively celebration of traditional music at the historic Stanley Bridge Hall. The evening connects the musical traditions of PEI and Cape Breton Island through stories, fiddling, heartfelt songs, laughter, and step dancing. Performers Kevin Chaisson, Louise Chaisson-MacKinnon, and Sheila MacKenzie, are joined by a special guest fiddler and step dancer each week. Visit peiceilidhs.com for tickets. 4897 St. Mary’s Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Sturgeon Ceilidh

A ceilidh featuring live local music and entertainment takes place at St. Paul’s Parish Hall at 6:30 pm. The next ceilidhs

are on August 31, and September 14 and 28. There is a 50/50 draw, biscuits, jam, and tea and coffee at intermission. Admission is by donation. Rte 17, Sturgeon.

Summerside Kitchen Party

A matinee kitchen party featuring classic country and old rock ‘n’ roll with Back in Tyme (Blair Coughlin, Peter Burke, George MacPhee, Bob Gagnon) is held at the Summerside Legion every Saturday in September, from 2–5 pm. Admission is at the door. 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside.

Tunes on Tap

Copper Bottom Brewing in Montague offers a weekly dose of traditional music on Sundays from 3–5 pm. Upcoming performers are: Thomas Harrington on August 31; Karson McKeown on September 7; Nick van Ouwerkerk on September 14; Hailee & Romy & Ward on September 21; and Ray Knorr & Tom Gammons on September 28. Free admission. 567 Main St, Montague.

Sunday Session

An afternoon Tune Session featuring traditional music and craic with host fiddler Roy Johnstone takes place weekly on Sundays from 2–4 pm at The Old Triangle. 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Trad Night at Village Green

An Irish Trad Night is held every Thursday in the taproom at Village Green. Enjoy free, live music from 7–9 pm. Space is limited. Located at 30 Church St in the old post office/dental clinic in Cornwall.

Winsloe United Ceilidh

Fundraising ceilidhs take place at Winsloe United every second Sunday at 2 pm. On September 14, host Jacinta MacDonald and the Winsloe United House Band welcome special guests Blake Crockett—a member of bluegrass group The Bad Hoss—along with Vernon Smith. On September 28, Chad Matthews and Jolee Patkai take the stage. The church is wheelchair accessible, and a light lunch will be served during intermission. Admission is at the door, which opens at 1:30 pm. 121 Winsloe Rd, Winsloe.

BOGSIDE BREWING

The music of others

Tribute shows in Charlottetown and Summerside

Stolen Goods: An Evening of Chris Stapleton

Trailside Music Hall, Charlottetown

September 6 ›› 8 pm

Stolen Goods is a four-piece tribute band from PEI bringing audiences a taste of Chris Stapleton—minus the beard and whiskey. Channeling the raw grit and soulful melodies of the country star, they serve up all the hits with passion. Blending blues, rock, and country, Stolen Goods brings the heart and soul of Stapleton to the stage.

Take it to the Limit: The Ultimate Eagles Tribue

Sobey Family Theatre, Charlottetown

October 9 ›› 7:30 pm

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

October 10 ›› 7:30 pm

Presented by Rocklands Entertainment, The Suits feature four dynamic performers delivering hits from four genres across four decades. Fans of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, The Temptations, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, and Journey will love this high-energy show, featuring smooth choreography, tight harmonies, showmanship, audience interaction, and classic hits like “Oh What a Night,” “My Girl,” “Can’t Buy Me

Love,” “Uptown Girl,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

The Suits: Hits from the 50’s to the 80’s

Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside

October 2 ›› 7:30 pm

Moon Coin Productions presents Vancouver’s Eagles Tribute—Take it to the Limit. Eagles fans will enjoy a live performance as some of Canada’s top musicians and vocalists bring to life classic hits including “Hotel California,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Take It to the Limit,” “Desperado,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Take It Easy,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” and more. This show promises a fully immersive experience, capturing the essence and energy of an authentic Eagles concert.

There are many (many) more tribute shows on offer at various venues across PEI. Almost hear artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Luke Combs, Bonnie Raitt, Phil Collins, Guns N’ Roses, John Prine, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, The Tragically Hip, Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne, ABBA, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, and more. Check the Performance Listing pages in The Buzz or our event calendar at buzzpei.com for updates or to find performances of original music.

Jack Pine Folk Club

Monthly folk music and poetry at the Pourhouse

The Jack Pine Folk Club invites audiences to immerse themselves in the nostalgic ambiance of a 1960s coffeehouse, as host Shane Pendergast presents a monthly evening of folk music and poetry.

The September edition will feature the Celtic-infused Canadiana sounds of Ontario’s Benj Rowland, followed by Les Faux Pas, a new Acadian folk band comprised of Nathalie Arsenault, Christina Gallant-MacLean, and Robin

Songs on Fire

Music series returns with Jim Bryson and Emilea May

Songs on Fire: Live and in the Round, hosted by acclaimed Canadian songwriter and composer Ben Kunder—who now calls PEI home— will resume at Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown on September 18.

Ettles. Poet Ashleigh Tremere will also share selections of her work to round out the program.

The show takes place at the Pourhouse, above the Old Triangle, in Charlottetown on September 21 at 7:30 pm. Admission is at the door.

Join Ben and two new guest songwriters every month at the Trailside for songs and conversations about the how and why of songwriting. This is a show for the community, where Ben introduces audiences to new artists and invites them to explore process and songwriter secrets.

After a summer hiatus, September’s edition of Songs on Fire takes place on September 18, featuring guests Jim Bryson and Emilea May.

Keilidh for Kids

Bonshaw Hall—Sept 21

Tunes and Tales

The Bonshaw Hall is hosting its third Kids’ Keilidh on September 21 at 2 pm.

Singer and musician Lucy Farrell, joined by her Tunes and Tales friends Leah Ellis and Brieonna Locche Richard, will lead an engaging program of stories and songs for children (and adults) of all ages. Marion Copleston will call the dance, and Jed Stoltz will serenade guests as they arrive.

Admission is by donation to help defray costs, with free admission for children under 12.

The Ultimate Eagles will perform two shows in October

Doors open at 6:30 pm, with showtime at 8 pm. Visit trailside.ca for tickets.

Jim Bryson Emilea May

Benj Rowland

Music Arcade by Dennis Ellsworth

Chris Corrigan

It was a cross-Canada journey that first brought Chris Corrigan to PEI. On that journey, he met Lennie Gallant. After returning home to Edmonton, Chris got an invitation from Lennie asking him to come back to the east coast and play in his group, Speed the Plough. At 22 years old, he packed his things and moved to PEI and he has been here, making impressive contributions to the musical and cultural fabric of Prince Edward Island, ever since.

Chris’ father was a guitar player, so he grew up around it. When he was four, he took an interest in the instrument and his father started showing him a few things. At five, he saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, and that piece of history marked the start of his pursuit of a life and study in music.

In 1982, after settling into the rhythm of the Island, Chris formed a trio called The Distortions with Peter Richards and Reg Ballagh. They played local gigs, doing mostly covers, with a few original songs sprinkled in. He was balancing his days and nights with gigs in his own group, gigs with Lennie, and working as an accompanying musician in theatres around PEI.

After The Distortions, he formed a group called the Dogs, with Mike Mooney, Chas Guay, Sean Ferris, and Dale Desroches. The Dogs played three nights a week for three years at the local club, The Dip. The Dip was a basement club and cultural hub located at the corner of Grafton Street and Queen Street in Charlottetown.

In the mid-nineties, Chris formed a group with Chas Guay, Dale Desroches, Paul MacAusland, and Joey Kitson called Black Cat Bone. Simultaneously, Lennie Gallant’s career was picking up and Chris was spending more and more time in a supporting role in Lennie’s touring band. Between his local shows and his work on the road with Lennie, Chris was one of the busiest musicians in town.

Curious about the Halifax scene, Chris started spending some time there. He met Glenn Meisner at CBC, Natalie McMaster, Mary Jane Lamond, and Laura Smith. These encounters developed into gigs, and by the late nineties, he was touring the world in their bands. These connections kept producing new opportunities and in 2000, he found himself on the road with Rita MacNeil.

Music & Art

An intimate afternoon in Bedford—Sept 7

On September 7 at 2:30 pm, an informal concert of salon music and a curated tour of the onsite art gallery will be presented at the Bedford home of pianist Leo Marchildon and artist Wayne Crouse.

The home, located at 96 Rte 6, has limited seating (20); advance registration is required by emailing waynewilliamcrouse@gmail.com, and updates can be found on the Bedford Station Gallery and Gardens FB page.

Brackley Beach WI fundraiser

A Jazz Ave Production—Sept 28

Brackley Beach Community Centre presents: A Jazz Ave Production, with music and food on September 28 from 2–4 pm. Doors open at 1 pm.

In the early oughts, Chris formed a songwriting and recording project with Chas Guay and Mike Mooney called Birdhouse. They recorded an album in Halifax at CBC Studios with the help of Glenn Meisner and it produced a wellcrafted collection of songs from three of Charlottetown’s best musicians. Following the release of their self-titled album they played a handful of shows and then the group faded out.

Around the same time, Chris began playing in the pit at Confederation Centre of the Arts. To this day, he is still part of the Charlottetown Festival cast. He has been performing in this role for 24 years.

Corrigan has spent the past 44 years working hard in the music business. He wears many hats, he’s committed to excellence and constantly trying to study and grow. He’s been involved in over 150 different recording projects, and recently he scored the feature-length Susan Rodgers film, Still the Water

Chris Corrigan’s career in music is remarkable. His contributions to our local scene cannot be understated and his work on the global stage has been monumental. Islanders truly are the beneficiaries of his journey to the east coast in his early twenties.

If you’d like to take in an upcoming performance, you can always hear him with The Charlottetown Festival. Also, on September 6, you will find him at the Malpeque Community Centre doing a live and improvised score to the silent film, Asphalt, presented by Roving Picture Shows.

The Centre is located at 3330 Brackley Point Rd. Proceeds will go to the Brackley Beach Women’s Institute. Call 902-3882095 or 902-388-7116 for tickets.

Dino and the Harmonies

Gospel concert at Winsloe United—Aug 31

Dino and the Harmonies will present a gospel concert at Winsloe United on August 31 at 7 pm. Dino will be joined by musicians including Garth Proud, Steven Perry, Keila Glydon, Sheila Dunsford, Brian Knox, and Judy Lowe.

The concert takes place at 121 Winsloe Road. Admission is at the door, which opens at 6:30 pm.

SANDY KOWALIK

Sommo Festival

Hozier and Alanis Morisette headline in Cavendish

Sommo Festival—a celebration of music, food, and drink—returns to the Cavendish Beach Events Centre in Cavendish, PEI, September 13–14.

Headliners Hozier and Alanis Morisette will be joined by Jamie Fine, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Michael Marcagi, Alice Merton, Ducks Ltd., Campbell & Johnston, Cameron Whitcomb, Valley, Rich Aucoin, Goodnight Sunrise, Gizmo, Alex Warren, Pvris, Hollow Coves, Chiara Savasta, Brooks & Bowskill, Hunter Metts, Ichi-Bons, King Cruff, Billianne,

Jeremy Fisher

Charlie Houston, and Customer Service.

The festival also features live demonstrations by celebrity chefs and cocktail masters on the Culinary Stage. Guests can enjoy curated pairings at Taste of Sommo, with local chefs and drink vendors, as well as a wide selection of food from local restaurants and food trucks. Multiple bars and pop-up stands will showcase local craft beer, wine, cider, cocktails, lemonade, and more. sommofest.com

With Dennis Ellsworth at Trailside Music Hall—Sept 24

Jeremy Fisher, with special guest, Dennis Ellsworth, will be on stage at Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown on September 24 at 8 pm.

Jeremy Fisher is a four-time JUNO Award-nominated folkpop singer-songwriter based in Ottawa. He has released six studio albums and his music has been featured on radio, in film (The Big Year, Our Idiot Brother), commercials (Volkswagen, American Airlines), and as main title TV themes (Disney, Global).

Over the last 20 years Fisher has toured the world and shared the stage with artists such as Alanis Morissette, Blue Rodeo, and Indigo Girls. He is a co-creator, songwriter, and voice actor for the CBC animated series Jeremy and Jazzy, a show about how feelings become songs, songs become stories, and music, friendship, and collaboration create joy.

Under the Spire

Music series continues into the fall

Under the Spire has been celebrating its 30th season of presenting Canadian and international music this summer, with performances and community events continuing into the fall.

Upcoming events include Lawrence Maxwell on September 5; Nick Doneff presents Angels in the Architecture—A Paul Simon Tribute on September 7; a Community Open Mic Night on September 11; Catherine MacLellan with J.P. Cormier and Dave Gunning on September 13; guitarist Adam Cicchillitti on September 14; Soupfest

Culinary Event on October 5; and a Halloween event on October 31.

Full concert listings and tickets are available at underthespire.ca or by calling 902-836-3733.

Press Play:

Volume 2

Fundraiser for Victoria Playhouse—Sept 5

A fundraising concert at the Victoria Playhouse in cooperation with the Victoria Historical Association will be held on September 5. The evening of community and Island performers, in the style of the old-time community hall talent shows, will begin at 7 pm.

The lineup of local artists includes Catherine MacLellan, Woodsmoke (Malcolm Stanley, Stuart MacFarlane, Peter Richards), Randal Arsenault & Morgan Wagner, Bridget Patterson, Julia Sauve, and more.

Nathan Wiley

Live with full band at Trailside—Sept 19

Nathan Wiley with his full band will be on stage at Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown on September 19.

and

Dennis Ellsworth is a songwriter, performer, sideman, and record producer from Charlottetown. Over the years he has collaborated with Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize from Skydiggers, Gord Downie from The

In 2015, Ellsworth signed a publishing deal with Cymba Music Publishing in Toronto and has since written songs in a wide variety of styles. His music has appeared in television shows for CBC, Netflix, HBO, and was featured in the film, The New Romantic.

Wiley’s blend of classic sounds with a modern, slightly world-weary perspective struck a chord with listeners, as songs full of subtle melodies and lyrics addressing unquenchable yearnings wormed their way into audiences’ ears.

Wiley has shared the stage with artists such as Blue Rodeo, Sarah Harmer, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Matt Mays, Ron Sexsmith, and many more, while his work has appeared on TV, film, and

A pre-show reception with complimentary refreshments will begin at 6:20 pm.

Visit victoriaplayhouse.com for tickets. Tax receipts are available.

stage. He recently scored the feature film Nightblooms

Tickets are available at trailside.ca.

Tragically Hip, Joel Plaskett, Donovan Woods, Rose Cousins, John Smith,

David Barbe (producer of Drive-by Truckers and bass player for 90’s alt rock band Sugar.)

Jeremy Fisher SUBMITTED

Alanis Morisette (left) and Hozier

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Catherine MacLellan

Nick Doneff (left) and Adam Cicchillitti

LIVE MUSIC

bars, lounges, cafés...

Albert & Crown Pub

Joey Doucette (Aug 28/Sept 4/11/18/25 @8 pm); Bruce & Robert Jones (5 @6 pm); Floyd Gaudet (12 @6 pm); Crystal Paynter & Cory Gallant (20 @7 pm). 480 Main St, Alberton.

Baba’s Lounge

Fridays & Saturdays (10 pm): Sam O (Aug 30); Stoop Heads (Sept 5); Riptyde (6); Pineo & Loeb (12); BJ Snowden (13 @9 pm); TBA (13); Rise Carmine (19); Ivy Gardens, Kurbstomp, 20 Eyes, Yhorm (20); Gearl, Shift from tha 902, Devon Paul & L’nu Joker (KU$H), Track House (26); Blues Jam with Plain Dirty Blues (27 *Thu @5 pm); Javier & Diego (27). Open Mic with KINLEY on Wednesdays (9 pm). Island Jazz on Thursdays (8 pm). 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Be You Bar

DJ Leayy and guests on Thursdays (10 pm–2 am) DJ WolfXFeather and guests on Fridays & Saturdays (10 pm–2 am). 119 Grafton St, Charlottetown.

Bogside Brewing

Fridays & Saturdays (6:30–9:30 pm): Jon Matthews (Aug 30); Dan Doiron (31 *Sun @2 pm); Taylor Johnson (Sept 5); Jeffrey Morris (6); Stephen Szwarc (12); Adam MacGregor (13); Dave Woodside (19); Billy White (20); Keira Loane (26); Barry O’Brien (27). 11 Brook St, Montague.

Brothers 2

Thursdays (7–9 pm) & Fridays (7–10 pm): Nick Hann (Sept 4); Todd & Chris (5); Ryan Merry (11); Chris Ahern (12); Danny Drouin (18); D’Arcy & Moe (19); Dan Doiron (25); Marc Coughlin (26). 618 Water St, Summerside.

Charlottetown Beer Garden

Daily (6–10 pm): Dave Woodside (Aug 30); Brad Milligan Duo (31); Saul Good Duo (Sept 1/8); Isaac & Kiera (2/9); Vintage 2.0 (3/10); Richie Bulger Duo (4/11); Kim Albert Trio (5/12); Matt & Adam (6); Brad Milligan Duo (7). 185 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Charlottetown Legion

Saturdays (9:30 pm–12:30 am): Kim Albert (Aug 30); Roundabout (Sept 6); Hache (13); Neon Country (20); Kim Albert (27). 99 Pownal St, Charlottetown.

Evermoore Brewing

Tuesdays (6–8 pm). Irish Traditional Session with Geoff Charlton on Saturdays (1:30–4 pm). 192 Water St, Summerside.

The Factory

Country Night Line Dancing with JJ on Fridays (10 pm). Live DJ on Fridays & Saturday (11 pm). 189 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Founders’ Food Hall & Market

Sunday to Friday (12–2 pm) & Saturday (5–7 pm): Gary Milligan/Jacob Reddin & the Striped Shirt Band (Aug 30); Carter McDevitt (31); Mat Hannah (Sept 3); Carter McDevitt & Jacob Reddin (5); Dr. Zoo (6); Spencer O’Brien (8); Mike Stratton (9); Margarita Wayne (11); Nathan Carragher (12); Brothers MacPhee (13); Mark & Sspenser Phillips (14); Adam MacGregor (15); Grant Pye (16); Jacob Reddin & the Striped Shirt Band (17); Unity (19); Nathan Carragher (20); Steve Zaat (21); Dr. Zoo (23); Kelley Mooney (25); Em Peters (26); Ryan Merry (27); Rodney Perry (28). 6 Prince St, Charlottetown.

Gahan House

Fridays (9–11 pm): Adam MacGregor (Sept 5); Fraser McCallum (12); Nathan Carragher (19); Ryan Merry (26). 126 Sydney St, Charlottetown.

The Hub Lounge

Wednesday & Fridays (6–9 pm) & Saturdays (1–4 pm) (*unless noted): Dave Connolly (Sept 4 *Thu @12 pm); Dan Paynter (4 *Thu @5 pm); John Connolly (5); Dave Connolly (6); Brian Dunn (12); Nathan Carragher (13); John & Liam (20); Geoff Warren & Nick Clow (27). Andersons Creek Golf Club, 68 North Rd, Stanley Bridge.

Kettle Black: Stratford

Open Mic with NiQi Deveaux & Brian Bradley on Sundays (1–4 pm). 17 Glen Stewart Dr, Stratford.

Lone Oak Brewing Co

Saturdays (1–3 pm): Blu Robin (Sept 13 @1 pm); Brothers MacPhee (21 *Sun @2 pm). 103 Abegweit Blvd, Borden-Carleton.

Lone Oak Brew Pub

Thursdays (6–8 pm): Ryan Merry (Aug 30); Stratton & Kays (Sept 6); Fraser MacCallum (13); Nathan Carragher (22); Mat Hannah (29). 15 Milky Way, Charlottetown.

Lone Oak Cavendish

Shane Pendergast (Aug 30 @7 pm); Taylor Buote & Dennis Dunn (Sept 4 @6 pm); Main Street Bullies (12 @7 pm). Avonlea Village, 8779 Rte 6, Cavendish.

North Rustico Lions Club

The Danny Gallant Band (Sept 13 @8 pm); Rustlers (20 @8 pm); Fall Fling Dance with Kelly Buote & Haché (27 @7 pm). Jam Night on Tuesdays (7 pm start). 17 Timber Ln, North Rustico.

The Old Triangle

Friday & Saturday (8–11 pm). Schooner Session with Mark Douglas and friends on Thursdays (7–10 pm). Sunday Session with Roy Johnstone on Sundays (2–4 pm). 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.

PEI Brewing Company

Fridays (4–7 pm): Curtis Reginald (Sept 5); Fraser McCallum (12); Dave Woodside (19); Brothers MacPhee (26). 96 Kensington Rd, Charlottetown.

PonyBoat

DJ Gufaah & DJ Mando on Fridays and Saturdays (11 pm). 157 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Razzy’s Roadhouse

Fridays (6–9 pm): Kevin Arthur (Sept 5); Rod & Blake Duo (12); Brian Dunn (19); Dan Doiron (26). 161 St. Peters Rd, Charlottetown.

RCAF Wing Summerside

Saturdays (9 pm) & Sundays (2–5 pm): Still Kickin (Sept 14/21/28). 329 North Market St, Summerside.

Slaymaker & Nichols

Nick Gauthier on Fridays & Sundays (2–5 pm). 82 Fitzroy St, Charlottetown.

Summerside Legion

Back in Tyme on Saturdays (2–5 pm). 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside.

Tekila

Latin nights on Friday & Saturday (7–9 pm). Acoustic blues with Dan Doiron on Sundays (6–8 pm). 165 Prince St, Charlottetown.

KARAOKE

Boonoonoonoos

Saturdays (9–11 pm) with KiiKii Rose & DJ Selecta Chevron. 177 Great George St, Charlottetown.

Baba’s Lounge

Mondays (10 pm). 181 Great George St, Charlottetown.

The Factory

Thursdays (10 pm) with Jack Day. 189 Kent St, Charlottetown.

Montague Legion

Fridays (8 pm) with Gloria. 15 Douses Rd, Montague.

North Rustico Lions Club

Sept 5 (9 pm) & 19 (8 pm) with Len Skinner. 17 Timber Ln, North Rustico.

The Pourhouse

Take the Mic live band karaoke on Aug 30 (7:30–10 pm). Advance tickets/sign-up: takethemicband.ca. 189 Great George St, Charlottetown.

RCAF Wing Summerside

Sundays (7–10 pm). 329 North Market St, Summerside.

Summerside Legion

Thursdays (7:30 pm) with Lesa Coughlin. 340 Notre Dame St, Summerside.

Music PEI Week 2026

Award submissions open and application fees removed

Music PEI Week 2026 will be taking place February 28–March 7, 2026. The week-long celebration of the Island’s music industry will feature nominee showcases, industry events, and more, culminating in the Awards Gala on March 7.

Submissions for the 2026 Music PEI Awards will open August 29 and close October 13 at 11:59 pm ADT.

Most award categories require a current Music PEI membership to apply, with two exceptions: the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award, which are open to all. Members are encouraged to nominate peers, collaborators, and community leaders for any category. Also new this year, all awards application fees have been removed to make the process more accessible.

Following a consultation with

members and the community, the 2026 awards list has been finalized at 26 categories. Changes include reworking overlapping awards and introducing new ones to better reflect PEI’s current music scene. The new Behind the Music Award, consolidates categories like Industry Person of the Year and Event of the Year into a new category that celebrates industry professionals working behind the scenes to shine a spotlight on PEI music. Entirely new categories like Alternative Recording of the Year and Visual Artist of the Year work to include previously underrepresented music scenes and collaborators on PEI. The full list of changes, awards categories, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines is available at musicpei.com.

For updates on Music PEI Week 2026, follow @MusicPEI on social media or email music@musicpei.com.

BUZZ IFIEDS

PROFESSIONAL ART

PRODUCTS If you are a serious painter, you need to shop here! Expert advice to go with perfect, professional products. ONLINE: professionalart.ca. STORE (Bailey Studio Gallery): In Little Sands. 902-962-3642.

MUSIC

Tuning into Nature

BRIDGE TO GO 1! Five week bridge course with Irene and Carol. For absolute beginner and novice players. Starting Wednesday, Sept 17, 6:30–8:30 pm at the Haviland. Max 20 participants. $100. Register: sheila.bacon22@gmail.com.

ORGANIC VEGGIE DELIVERY

Home delivery (year-round) of fresh local organic veggies, fruit, and other foods and products. $25 / $40 / $50 Veggie Boxes or custom orders. Aaron Koleszar 902-659-2575, aaron@organicveggiedelivery.com, www.organicveggiedelivery.com

TEXT ONLY BUZZIFIEDS

30 words for only $25 (+tax). Or buy in bulk to save—6 months for the price of 5—only $125 (+tax).

ENERGY BLOCK RELEASE.

Are you living your life in flow or does it feel like something is stuck and holding you back? Ask questions or book a free session by emailing energyblockreleaseebr@gmail.com.

SHOP SUSTAINABLY WITH RECYCLED RUNWAY, offering size-inclusive thrifted and vintage women’s fashions. Follow us for Thrift Thursday drops on Instagram and shop in-person by appointment or at events! Instagram: @ recycledrunwaypei

OCTOBER BUZZ DEADLINE

Submissions and advertising booking deadline for the October issue: Monday, Sept 15th

Advertising: sales@buzzpei.com Editorial: info@buzzpei.com

Tuning into Nature, a musical trail walk, takes place on the Meike Trail at Kelly Green Park on August 30 from 1–3 pm. This year’s theme, “Thresholds,” invites listeners to explore the edges and in-between spaces of PEI’s natural soundscape, where pauses become part of the music. Guests will follow a one-kilometre loop through the park (20 Red Head Rd, Morell), encountering 14 artists from the PEI Symphony Orchestra (PEISO) and community musicians performing at intervals along the route. Each station will blend music, poetry, and environment—from guitar and harp to fiddle, trombone, and voice, every stop offers a fresh perspective shaped by the landscape. Featured artists include Aaron Turner (percussion), Carlie Howell (bass), Dale Sorensen (trombone), Darin MacBeth (French horn), Ian Toms (guitar), Lana Quinn (harp), Lana Turner (voice), Laurie Brinklow (poetry), Luisa Güiza (singer-songwriter), Luka Hall (fiddle), Nadia Haddad (singer-songwriter), Olasunkanmi Omotosho (violin), Shawn Doiron (percussion), and Tanya Davis (poetry). Rain date: August 31. Free for children 10 and under. Tickets: peisymphony.com

Live band karaoke

Take the Mic returns to The Pourhouse in Charlottetown on August 30. Doors open at 6:30 pm; showtime is 7:30 pm. This high-energy act puts a fresh spin on live entertainment, swapping karaoke tracks for a full band and turning guests into lead singers. Led by four veteran musicians—Todd MacLean, Deryl Gallant, Adam MacGregor, and Liam Kearney— Take the Mic delivers a true live-band karaoke experience. Advance tickets and song sign-ups: takethemicband.ca

Songwriter-in-Residence Program at Souris Show Hall

The Souris Show Hall has announced its second annual Songwriter-in-Residence Program. With support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Hall invites applications from songwriters for a one-week residency in autumn/winter 2025–26. The residency offers artists the chance to work on new material, do some recording, or develop an existing project. The program is not limited to Island songwriters—all artists are welcome to apply. The residency artist will have access to the hall, stage, and piano for the duration of the residency, and may stay in the furnished artist apartment above the hall. There is no fee for the residency, but the participant will be required to do one outreach activity—for example, a public workshop or performance— during their time at the hall. They will receive a $1000 stipend, plus an additional fee (TBA) for their performance or workshop activity. Applications will be adjudicated based on artistic merit, feasibility, and community impact. The

application deadline is September 15. Applicants will be notified by October 10. Visit sourisshowhall.com for details.

Island A Cappella

Island A Cappella—PEI’s only women’s chorus singing four-part a cappella harmonies in the barbershop style—is once again offering Island singers of all abilities a unique opportunity this fall. Starting September 17, participants in a special five-week program will join chorus members to learn and perform a unique arrangement of Randy Newman’s Toy Story classic, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” The program runs on Wednesday nights, September 17–October 15. Once registered, participants will receive sheet music and audio learning tracks to begin practicing anytime. Island A Cappella is a member of Harmony Inc., an international organization that aims to empower all women through singing, education, friendship, and fun. Info/register: islandacappella. ca or 902-213-4921

Anti-racism in the music industry workshop

The workshop “Know Better, Do Better, Anti-Racism in the Music Industry” will be offered in the Rotary Auditorium at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre September 21. The workshop, which runs from from 1–4 pm, is free to attend. Topics will explore how racism shows up in the music industry and what people can do to dismantle it.

East Prince Community Band

The East Prince Community Band is starting up again this fall and is seeking new members interested in playing an instrument with a group—whether it’s a clarinet from the closet, an alto sax from the attic, or a trumpet from a trunk. The first practice will be held September 24 at 6:30 pm in the band room at Summerside Intermediate School, 247 Central St, Summerside. Instruments may be provided for those who need them. For inquiries or more information, email Kim at raxawa7@yahoo.ca.

Definitely Not The Symphony

Definitely Not The Symphony (DNTS) is recruiting musicians this fall who want to learn a new instrument or brush up on their skills. The band is seeking people interested in string and wind instruments, particularly violin and cello players, though all musical abilities are welcome. Rehearsals run on Saturday mornings at Andrews of Stratford, 355 Shakespeare Dr, from September to June. The first rehearsal is September 6. Conductors Marti Hopson and Travis Boudreau will lead the group through musical pieces that include classical, pop, soundtracks, and jazz. DNTS is an eclectic group of music enthusiasts who gather to play instrumental pieces on a regular basis and is deemed ‘the orchestra for all players.’ All ages welcome. Email dntsstratford@gmail.com or follow on FB @dntspei for info.

SUNDAY

SEPTEMBER 7, 14, 21 & 28 AT 7 P.M. Mont-Carmel

Jordan LeClair with his kids Evelyn, Leo & Wilson

The Ross Family

Harmonielles (featuring Mylène Ouellette, Paula Arsenault, Adrienne Gallant, Natalie LeBlanc, Julie Arsenault & Stephanie Ross)

La Famille Doucette (featuring Andy Doucette, Monique Pendergast-Doucette & their kids Simon, Clara, Lucie & Patrick)

Jonathan Arsenault with Louise Arsenault & Shane Arsenault

Connie LeClair

Alphy Perry

Michael & Samuel Richard

“He’s

Photo: Paul Mobley

Photo:

Véronique Pelletier

“Full of heart and humour!” – Broadway World “Tom Papa isn’t just one of our most hilarious comic minds, he is also a bighearted observer of the human condition.”

-Judd Apatow

-Jean Ravel

Jiayu Su

Dave Brosha

Dave Brosha